The Morgan

Chapter 6

Ava enters the docking bay and scans the room.

It is filled with large steel, supply containers, empty metal cages, five space bikes that are floating inches off the ground, various toolboxes that lay close to the bikes, and there is a tall steel box.

The sleep pod from the Morgan's lifeboat sits buzzing quietly in the darkest corner of the bay, which is lit only by the dull light emanating from the pod.

She walks slowly towards it, her eyes fixed on the light.

"It's Okay Ava," a metallic voice says from behind the tall steel box.

Ava jumps out of her skin as she turns to face the voice. "Shit Carl, what the hell?"

A six-foot five robot steps into view, "Ava, my name is not Carl. You know this."

"You'll always be Carl to me," she replies as she relaxes.

He steps closer, "just like welder 38565 is not called John."

"Lighten up would ya... it' s good to have names. It makes you more..." she looks him up and down, "...human."

"But I am not human. I am a machine."

"Not to us."

"Thank you."

"See," she steps towards him and places her hand on his hyperalloy shoulder, "that's a human response."

"It makes you humans more comfortable if I act this way."

Ava smiles, "You're a quick study," she removes her hand, then turns, and looks at the pod, "how's it doing?"

Carl follows her gaze, "she is doing well according to the last diagnostic an hour ago."

Ava looks at Carl, "yeah... good." She turns and looks at the pod, then turns back to Carl. "The captain wants me to watch her, god knows why. I mean you're here, and it's not like she's goin anywhere."

"But if the captain says you are to watch her-

"Yeah I know Carl... I must follow the captains orders."

"That is correct."

"How's John doin?"

"He performed adequately on is last assignment."

"I know, I was there. I mean does he require any maintenance?" She glances at the pod again.

Carl stares at her for a moment, then replies, "Welder 38565 is in good working order. She cannot escape while she is in hypersleep."

Ava turns back to him, "hah?"

"You keep staring at the sleeping pod, and your heart rate spikes each time."

She breaths deeply, then smiles, "you know Carl, I think we should have a game of cards."

"Cards?"

"Yeah, cards... ya know, poker, blackjack, go fish, snap... cards."

"I have never played, cards."

"Oh, that sucks. Guess I can play solitaire."

"What is solitaire?"

"It's an old game of cards. Search the files ya have stored in that steel cranium of yours."

"I have found it. The others too. They seem like interesting games. I would of course be a master of them all in seconds."

She looks over at the pod again, "It would pass the time."

"Would you like me to sit with you while you keep an eye on the pod?"

"Hah?" she turns back to him.

"I can sit with you while you are here. If you would like me to?"

"Where else are ya going to go?"

Carl turns and looks at the large steel box.

"I see," she takes a moment to think, "if ya don't want to return to it, ya can keep me company."

"I do not mind either way."

"Jesus... just like a real man."

"What does that mean?"

"Never mind," she turns away and walks towards the pod.

Carl watches.

She pauses and turns back to him, "you comin or not?"

Carl follows.

When she reaches the pod. She looks into it and her eyes widen, "Oh shit."

Carl steps up beside her, "Ava? Where is the girl?"