Artificial

The More Things Change

Operator Riot

I walk into the cabin, sore as all hell. When Phoenix asked me to help her train the Recruits, I had no idea what I was in for. They were learning offensive tactics today, and Phoenix thought the best way to do that was to give pairs of Recruits rifles with non-lethal ammo and have them try to get around my shield and take me down. Most did. It's a bittersweet feeling, a mix of hope for the future and pain in the present. I doff my armor and place it in my wardrobe, opting for my usual casual attire: a tank top and basketball shorts. I lie down in bed and get comfortable, then say, "Yo, Tower, can you have one of the medics bring me some painkillers...and maybe a beer?"
"No can do, bro. You got a visitor."
"Who is it?"
"A Gen 2 AI I don't recognize, wearing obscuring clothing. You want me to—"
"Riot," a female voice interrupts. "It's me."
"Oh, my bad, Katya," Tower quickly apologizes.
"It's okay," she meekly responds as she enters. "It's understandable."
She stares at the floor, her clothing covering all but the lower half of her now-mechanical face.
"How's the new bod, babe?"
"You sure you just want to jump right back into things like that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't act like things haven't changed, Riot. Please don't belittle this like that."
"Okay, I'm sorry. You're right, I shouldn't just pretend nothing happened. But I also want you to know that I'm not going to leave you for this."
"Please, just...shut up and let me show you what you're getting into before you dig yourself into a hole you can't get out of."
"I won't change my mind, but go ahead."
She sighs, then drops her hood.
"Wow, look at that gorgeous face."
She bashfully lowers her head, deep brown eyes looking up at me from a stunning synthetic face.
"Thanks. But that's not what I told you to wait for."
She takes a deep breath, then removes her hoodie and drops it on the floor behind her.
Her frame is different than what I expected.
Her arms are muscular.
Her shoulders are strong, and broad.
Her chest, although flat, looks powerful, as does the rest of her.
But different can be good.
It is an impressive, capable body.
It belongs to a woman I care about, and who cares about me.
It is a body I could easily love.
"If this was supposed to scare me away, it's doing quite the opposite."
"You don't have to pretend. I don't want to be with you if you're not happy about it."
"I'm not pretending. If anything, I'm happy for you. With a body like that, they'll probably let you join Force Recon."
"You think?"
"Of course! Now come here, let me get a closer look at you."
She takes off her boots, then timidly begins to climb into the bed with me. I hold her in my arms, and kiss her neck.
"I don't know about you, but everything about this feels right to me," I reassure as my hands explore her athletic stomach.
She giggles.
"Stop, that tickles," she weakly protests as she squirms about.
A pained grunt escapes me.
"Did I hurt you?" She asks in sudden panic.
"No, no, you're fine, honey. I'm just sore from training the Recruits."
A sly grin crosses her face.
"You know...I'm only a few inches shorter than you. Maybe I should be holding you."
"That sounds nice," I respond, and roll over. She does the same, and slips her arms around me, one of her hands finding a home on my chest, the other resting on my abdomen. Her arms feel as strong as they look, and that is definitely not a bad thing. I feel protected, something I haven't felt in a long time.
After a few minutes, she asks, "Are you enjoying this as much as I am?"
"I'll admit, I'm not used to being the little spoon," I begin with a chuckle. "But this is nice. And you're really warm."
"Thanks. Reaver installed what he calls the 'Romance Package.'"
I raise an eyebrow.
"What does that include?"
"The face and the warmth, plus those abs you were feeling up earlier," she answers with a mischievous grin.
"They're nice abs," I respond with a smile, and she kisses my cheek.
"Tell me something I don't know."
"Okay, I'm about ready to fall asleep in your arms."
"I'm fine with it, as long as you're fine with me joining you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
I doze off peacefully with her breath on my neck and her arms around me.