MAN OR MACHINE

The Beginning: 2 • Mary

18:56
April 23
2517 CE
Elysium City Primary Living Quarters
Eridanus II
Eridanus Star System

-

I sat at the living room table, adding the finishing touches to a presentation I had to have ready by morning for my science academics. My mother was cooking dinner before my father returned home from work, faintly humming a soft choral tune to herself. Typically when girls in my school sang chants or songs, I got easily annoyed. But my mother's soothing voice and gift of perfect pitch was something I treasured, something that helped me focus even more on my tasks than when I worked in silence.

My mother had been asked to join the Elysium City Choir several times, but she denied each proposal just so she could raise me and keep the house clean for my father. Father came home late nowadays because his scientific team needed him more than the other scientists. He couldn't and wouldn't tell me about his work, despite how curious I clearly was to him about it. But because he had become one of the most highly acclaimed scientists on Eridanus II, I had caught on quickly with such knowledge. That was why I was currently at the top of my class... Despite only being five-years-old among the six-and-seven-year-old children in my educational group.

The phone began ringing, at which I sneered down at my project in annoyance of the disturbance. I looked to my mother who walked over to the holographic phone dial on the wall. I could make out the contact image, seeing it was my father calling. At this realization, I sprinted out of my seat to stand by my mother's side.

She smiled down at me, her short brown bobbed-hairstyle swishing with the movement. She clicked the answer button, and spoke first. "Hi, honey. How are you? Is everything okay at work?"

"Oh, Meina, it couldn't have gone better! We made a breakthrough that I couldn't have ever imagined we'd make! I wish I could tell you about it, but—"

"But it's classified. Its okay, darling. As long as you are pleased with your work, I am happy for you. However, I must tell you a certain five-year-old girl is very eager to speak with you," My mother said to him. I stepped onto my tiptoes as I prepared to talk to my father.

"I finished my science project all by myself, Papa! I made sure I executed every detail and equation precisely as you taught me!" I chirped with pride. I heard him laugh, the displayed audio wavelength moving with his voice's volume range.

"That's my baby girl! I can't wait to see it when I arrive home."

I beamed at the holograph of his face, and returned back to my project, glancing over it in its neat and presentable glory. My mom continued to talk to my father on the phone in the kitchen, but I didn't pay attention. I was too busy making sure my work was absolutely perfect for my father to look over and smile at in pride of me when he came home.

A couple minutes ticked by, and I snapped out of my focused trance and returned quickly to my mother's side, finding her on the edge of tears. She looked at the phone screen and shut it off, walking over to where dinner was just finished being cooked. I glanced at the phone and concluded, "He isn't coming home tonight, is he?"

My mother sighed, her shoulders tense with anger. "No. Just like last night and the several nights before, he won't be home tonight."

I frowned, sad to hear he won't be home again tonight. It had been a week and three days since he walked into this house. I understood it was because of his work, but still. He had duties here to fulfill.