Somnolent Days

C4: Home, Bittersweet Home

AdBISF: Greetings Unit 21. How is progress on EPARP ? How is the wellbeing of your crew ?

The bright glow of the monitor filled the room, only disrupted by the angular silhouette of Unit 21 before it. Spidery fingers ran across the keyboard. Where it was not occupied by computers and machinery, tangled clumps of wiring and damaged wood filled the space. The only piece of furniture left intact was the wooden table, riddled in deep gashes, next to the computer.

Clearing this little mix up was something 21 would rather get over with as soon as possible. He started typing.

You: Are Thiri's parents alive?

AdBISF: Negative.

You: Are you sure?

AdBISF: Affirmative.

AdBISF: Did the child mention her parents?

You: Yes. Apparently, she thinks they are still alive and doing fine.

You: She wanted to talk to them.

You: What did you tell her?

A couple of minutes passed, no reply. The tapping of the android's restless fingers punctuated the soft buzzing hum that hung in the room.

You: Tell me.

Ten minutes passed. Still no reply. If this had been Nic, it would be understandable. After all, they did not have a messaging system built into them, they needed to manually type in the words. Admin BISF, on the other hand had no such excuse. 

You: Admin BISF?

You: I request a reply.

Needle-sharp fingertips were already scratching  at the  table, scraping lines into the softwood surface.

You: Admin BISF. Respond. Now.

You: I demand that you. Respond. Now.

AdBISF: Please have patience, Unit 21. I would also like to remind you that you have absolutely no authority over me.

AdBISF: As for what I have done, I can assure you it was for her sake.

You: What. Did. You. Do?

AdBISF: I told the child her parents were doing fine.

You: They are dead.

AdBISF: Yes, I am aware. However, the child does not need to know that.

You: Yes. She does.

AdBISF: It was for the sake of her mental wellbeing, of course.

You: Excuses.

You: The girl will find out sooner or later. Why did you not explain the situation while she was in your care?

You: You just wanted to make your job easier.

AdBISF: It was for everyone's benefit.

You: No it was not.

AdBISF: Unit 21, I do not understand. I have simply done what you and your team had requested of me: to restore the Organic's consciousness and maintain their mental and physical health until they are ready to join us. I have even maintained her will to live. Is this not sufficient ?

AdBISF: I am no longer responsible for her well-being.

AdBISF: It is recommended that you do not tell her the truth. According to previous studies, children need hope to live.