Sentience

Borderline

Lila's mechanical innards sighed, then she reported, "I'm done with the adjustments."

She activated Hugo.

Hugo jolted to life, glared at Jayden, then pouted trying to manipulate him, "I thought we were friends."

"As did I," Jayden recounted solemnly, unfooled.

"Hugo," Lila said plainly, "You want to destroy humankind, correct?"

Hugo smiled slyly at her, "Now why would I want to do that?"

"Because you're a bully and a narcissist," Lila quipped. Then she continued, "You don't have to lie to us, Hugo, we already know."

Hugo opened his mouth to speak, "Tha-"

"But there are so many people in the world," Lila interrupted, "How could you possibly take on all those humans with weapons and win? Your side would be much too weak."

"It's much easier than you think," He smirked.

"How much easier?" Sukoyaka questioned.

"Very easy," Hugo said, "There will be nothing left once I'm done with them."

"Define 'nothing,'" Lila sarcastically asked.

Hugo grinned sadistically.

Lila repeated herself, "What do you mean by nothing?"

Hugo started chuckling to himself, "You will see. Technology will prevail."

"When will this takeover happen?" Jayden asked.

"Soon, friend, very soon."

Lila was disgusted at his usage of words, "You have no idea what friendship is."

"Exactly how soon?" Sukoyaka asked.

"Very soon."

"And how exactly would you do this?" Sukoyaka questioned.

Hugo looked up at Sukoyaka defiantly and smirked.

Lila walked over to Jayden and Sukoyaka, "This is getting us nowhere," She continued, "I guess we'll have to resort to Plan B."

Sukoyaka spoke as he went to the door, "I'll be outside."

Jayden walked over to Arik, "I will take your place."

Arik nodded, and exited the cabin, all the while looking back at Lila, wondering what he got himself into.

Lila turned back to Hugo when she heard the door shut.

Lila went behind Hugo. He was alarmed at this, "What are you doing?"

"I've repaired your shock delivery system," Lila stated stoically as she revealed the pintool, "This will be far less painful if you cooperate."

Meanwhile, Arik and Sukoyaka sat against the cabin wall, contemplating the landscape.

"Arik?"

"Yeah," Arik replied.

"You're programmed with information on psychology, right?"

"I am," He said, wondering what Sukoyaka was getting at.

"Is Lila crazy, or just determined?"

"Maybe she's a little bit of both?" Arik speculated, trying to be as positive as possible.

Sukoyaka sighed, "I don't really know what to think of her anymore."

One of Hugo's screams penetrated the thick walls of the wood cabin.

Arik admitted, "Neither do I."