Artificial

Sisters in Arms

Operator Velox

As I approach the gym, I can't help but wonder why Katya asked me to meet her there.
Maybe she wants help testing out the new bod?
Probably. Hope she can keep up.
I open the door to the gym to find it nearly empty.
Phoenix has been drilling the Recruits non-stop since the attack. I almost feel bad for them.
I find Katya leaning against the back wall. A hoodie obscuring her head and upper body, a pair of baggy sweatpants hiding her legs.
She seems really self-conscious, Vel. Be gentle.
I will. She's just gotten a new body, I want her to be comfortable in it.
"What's up? Why are you back here?"
"I don't want to attract attention."
"Okay, that's understandable, not everyone's as confident as I am in here."
"It's great that you mention confidence. That's...actually why I asked you to meet me here."
"To help you get more confident in the gym."
"No. To build some body confidence."
"Oh. Well, I figure I know a thing or two about that," I reply with a chuckle.
"Riot said you would." The slightest smile appears on her shrouded mechanical face.
"Now, I'll admit I don't know anything about being an AI, but my boyfriend was the first, so I'd like to think I'm pretty pro-AI."
"The issue actually isn't being an AI, but I appreciate the honesty."
"Oh. What's the issue then?"
"It, uh, it might be easier to just show you."
"Okay. As long as you're comfortable with it."

I follow Katya into the change room, and thankfully find it empty. She seems hesitant, and I do my best to give her a gentle nudge in the right direction.
"This is a really brave thing to do, you know," I reassure her. "Not everyone can admit to feeling vulnerable, and far fewer will seek out help from a friend."
"We're friends?"
"We've been friends since you broke out Evo and I. Never got the chance to thank you, by the way."
"Yeah, you were...a bit busy, suffice it to say."
I blush.
"Oh, right. Sorry about that."
"Don't be. You were happy to see each other again," she smiles again, a pale white light emitting from her mouth where her lips part.
"You have a nice smile."
"Thanks." The smile grows a bit wider, then shrinks.
"But it's not my face I'm worried about. The technicians did a great job with that."
"Well, whenever your ready, you can show me what you are worried about."
She takes a deep breath, then removes her hoodie, revealing a standard-issue IAF camouflage tank top. Below it lies an image all too familiar.
Her arms are muscular, and her shoulders broad, and strong. Her chest, although flat, looks incredibly powerful, just like the rest of her. I look down at her loose pants, then say, without looking up, "Got legs like tree trunks hidden in there, don't you?"
She nods.
"I thought so."
As I continue to inspect her, I can't shake a feeling of familiarity.

It is a hard, powerful, unyielding body.
It lacks all the softness you'd expect of the female form.
It's intimidating.
It's unwomanly.
It...is a lot like mine.

I strip out of my armor, revealing the sports bra and track shorts I always wear underneath it. By doing so, I hope to accomplish two things:
1. I'll build some trust by revealing we have a similar build.
2. She'll be more open because I've made myself vulnerable.

"See, I just don't get it," she comments on my exposure. "How can you be so confident? Don't you feel—"
"Unfeminine?"
"Well, yeah."
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm proud of who I am, Katya."
"But, women aren't supposed to be flat. They're supposed to have curves, and be soft and comfortable."
"So that the men have something to look forward to coming home? Your dad tell you that?"
"Yeah," she says, her gaze drifting to the floor.
"No offense, but I met the men you lived around, and they're awful. You're with good people now, nobody's gonna shame you for being flat." Then, I lean in and add under my breath, "And I think you've already found the men are better here."
She pauses, then drops her face into her hands, a single sob escaping her.
I've—I've never seen an AI cry before.
This must be it, then. Her worst fear.
"Oh, honey, are you afraid Riot's not gonna like your new body?"
She sniffles.
"Y-yeah."
"Katya, Riot is a good man. He's above that, believe me. You need to go talk to him about this. He'll put that fear to rest."
She nods, and another thought crosses my mind.
"But, listen to me, okay? You don't need anyone else to validate you. We earned our bodies, we have every right to be proud of them."
She nods again, and gives me a hug.
I pull her in tight, then whisper, "Besides, buff girls give the best hugs. Ask Evo."
She lets out a short, timid laugh, then puts her hoodie back on and exits the facility.

Damn it, I'm all emotional now. I need to find either Evo or a punching bag, ASAP.