I Am Not A Robot

[Rusalka]

~ I Am Not A Robot ~



You've been acting awful tough lately
Smoking a lot of cigarettes lately
But inside, you're just a little baby
It's okay to say you've got a weak spot
You don't always have to be on top
Better to be hated than loved, loved, love for what you're not

You're vulnerable, you're vulnerable
You are not a robot
You're lovable, so lovable
But you're just troubled

Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot
Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot

You've been hanging with the unloved kids
Who you never really liked and you never trusted
But you are so magnetic, you pick up all the pins
Never committing to anything
You don't pick up the phone when it ring, ring, rings
Don't be so pathetic, just open up and sing

I'm vulnerable, I'm vulnerable
I am not a robot
You're lovable, so lovable
But you're just troubled

Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot
Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot

Can you teach me how to feel real?
Can you turn my power off?
And let the drum beat drop

Guess what? I'm not a robot

Guess what? I'm not a robot, a robot

[Slawth]

Adam stood before the Governing Lords, the highest ranking and most influential people in the entire Galactic Association for Wildlife Defense. Amongst these elite stood his own father, Yusuf, who had summoned Adam before the Lords in order to confer upon him a special duty.

Adam licked his lips nervously as Yusuf stood, his regal features and grand beard cutting an imposing facade.

"Adam McLeod, my son," he intoned. "Today you have been selected for a great responsibility." The Lord motioned towards the floor, composed entirely of transparafibers. Turning gently below, floating in the endless aether of space, was a blue and white sphere - a young planet, recently made capable of supporting life by GAWD's top terraformers. "This planet has been similarly chosen for an equally great responsibility," Yusuf continued. "As you know, we the Lords have chosen it to act as a galactic wildlife refuge, where species from across the known universe may be observed, studied, and conserved." Yusuf eyeballed his son with something that was almost pride. "You, my son, have been chosen to lead this endeavor, and will be placed on the surface and made head of the Ecological Den we have established."

Adam stood in awed silence. Head of an E-Den? This was one of the highest honors GAWD could bestow upon someone; it indicated absolute faith in that individual's abilities as a scientist and a leader. Adam bowed deeply. "Th-thank you, Lord," he gasped out.

Yusuf smiled benevolently. "As part of your duties, you must confer with and maintain the integrity of GAWD's most valuable asset - the Evolution Engine."

Adam furrowed his bow. "Forgive me Lord, but I don't recall ever hearing anything about any sort of engine."

Yusuf smiled again. "That is because she is a secret. The Evolution Engine is... Well, you shall see for yourself." The Lord waved a hand, which Adam recognized as a dismissal. Bowing again, Adam left the chamber, his head in a spin. His life had just taken a drastic turn. But he supposed that right now, his main order of business was to board a shuttle bound to the planet below.

He had a job to do.

[Rusalka]

There was a flicker of light from an unknown source and suddenly she was standing in the conference room. A long table sat at the center of the room with empty chairs for every available space. The whole thing nearly filled the room, but there was enough space for her to stand behind the far end of the table. The Den was the only world she had ever known. She knew every particle down to it's individual atoms, but as her holographic eyes darted around the room sending frantic visual feeds back to the main computer, she experienced it for the very first time. She had been here. She had seen it, but never from this perspective. She had never been inside. Taking it all in, she sighed with contentment and relief.

This was the place where she was to meet her partner. He would be "looking after" her. She giggled within herself at the thought. If anyone needed looking after, it was the stupid meat sacks. It was almost sad how dull their minds could be.

She tapped her foot impatiently. Apparently they couldn't even handle making it on time. It was nearly twenty minutes past the designated meeting time, and there she stood, attentively staring at the door as if somehow that would make it open sooner. She would know when they were getting close. She would see it.

[Slawth]

Adam stepped into the conference room, a sheepish look on his face. Inside, a beautiful-yet-severe looking woman awaited, an impatient look on her face. Coughing apologetically, Adam spoke up. "Sorry I'm late," he began. "The shuttle had a few technical issues before lift-off and the flight was delayed."

The woman frowned, but inclined her head as if to say that she understood. They stood there for a few moments, an uneasy silence growing between them. Adam coughed again. "Uhm, yes, anyways, I'm -"

"Adam McLeod, son of Yusuf McLeod, one of the Governing Lords," the woman finished for him. "Yes, I know who you are. You're supposed to be keeping an eye on things down here." She raised an eyebrow. "And on me."

Adam scratched his head, befuddled. "Who are you exactly?" he inquired.

The woman straightened herself, an impressive feat, given her posture had already been damn-near perfect. "I am the Evolution Engine," she intoned. "programmed with in-depth knowledge of every genetic sequence in the known universe, capable of synthesizing any genome imaginable, and single most expensive piece of technology ever made by mankind." She preened a little at the last bit.

Adam eyed her warily. "I thought the Evolution Engine was some kind of machine," he said skeptically.

The woman glared at him. "I am a highly sophisticated artificial intelligence. My main processors are housed in a single mechanized unit, yes, but I am more than capable of generating a simulated avatar wherever I please within this facility." To drive the point home, the woman flickered and vanished, only to appear but an inch or two in front of Adam. Before he could react, she touched a hand to his face.

It was only then that Adam realized what a convincing avatar the Evolution Engine had crafted, for he did not feel the warmth of another human's skin, but a faint buzzing sensation as the ionized particles that made up the avatar's form passed through him.

She stepped back, allowing Adam a little breathing space. "Okay," he said. "I believe you." He touched his chin thoughtfully. "But we're gonna have to think of another name for you."

The avatar looked taken aback. "Why?" she asked indignantly.

"Because Evolution Engine is so... cumbersome," Adam explained. After a moment's thought, he raised his finger, and a smile lit up his face. "I know. I'll call you Eve!"

Eve blinked, as if unsure how to react. "...Very well then," she began slowly. "Dr. McLeod, there are things we must - "

"Ah ah," Adam reprimanded her. "Call me Adam."

Eve ground her teeth together. "Very well... Adam. There are things we must discuss. Procedures to plan. The Governing Lords want us operating on a very strict schedule, and we need to get started as soon as possible."

Adam spread his arms flamboyantly before taking a seat. "Then let's talk."