Strange Sci-fi Tales - The Perfect Wife

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            “Behold Andy,” Dr. Johnson exclaimed, “your new wife.” He pulled back a curtain revealing a female-looking robot. She had medium-length violet hair, delicate features, and a modest build. Her outfit was a royal blue dress with a white apron, making her appear like a cross between a maid and a domestic wife. Her eyes and mouth were gently closed, presenting the illusion that she was sleeping.

            ‘She looks like a life-size anime doll,’ Andy thought. He appreciated his friend’s intentions. The man certainly knew his preferences. However, it was uncanny to see such a cartoonish figure in real-life. “I dunno, man, this is strange,” Andy scratched his dirty blonde hair.

            “Nonsense,” Johnson adjusted his glasses. His slick black hair remained perfectly in place even as he whipped his head around. “I know you might be hesitant, but she’s perfect for you.”

            “If you say so,” Andy argued no further.

            “Allow me,” the good doctor pulled out a remote and activated the robot. The gynoid slowly rose to life, and her bright blue eyes fluttered open and stared right at Andy. There was a moment of awkward silence, but as the two pairs of eyes remained locked together, something clicked. Andy had never seen someone look at him like this before, and he didn’t dislike the sensation.

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            “So, how goes the married life?” Dr. Johnson asked with a hint of humor. The scientist’s hair was a touch disheveled, although the diner they were eating in was hardly fancy, so no one paid it any mind.

            “I got to say, man,” Andy smiled, “this might be the best thing that’s ever happened to me. She’s kind and caring, and it’s like she always knows what I need before even I know I need it.”

            “That’s the A.I. core at work,” Johnson beamed. “Not only is the Robot Wife matched to your preferences, but it will also rapidly adapt to your needs. The prime objective is to always act in your best interest.”

            “You’ve really outdone yourself, Johnny,” Andy said gratefully. “I don’t know how I could ever thank you.”

            “Ah, it’s no big deal,” Johnson assured. “Just keep up the consistent feedback so I can make the next one even better. Many lonely guys and girls could use the help you’re getting.”

            “Whatever you say, but you can’t improve on perfection,” Andy laughed.

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            “I don’t know what’s wrong,” Johnson slammed his fist on the table. The scientist’s lab was a mess, as was the man himself. A shower and a good night’s sleep would do wonders, but he was too busy fuming over his recent failures. “I know the A.I. core was a bit of a fluke the first time, but I should be able to replicate it. I have the notes and a copy of the code, but why can’t I replicate it?”

            Sprawled across his table were half a dozen dissembled metal spheres, the A.I. cores he spoke of. All were made to the exact same specifications as his friend’s new wife, but none had functioned nearly as well, if at all.

            “I could observe the Robot Wife’s core, but who knows what the code looks like now?” Johnson grumbled. The miracle of his A.I. cores was their ability to evolve on their own. At this point, the code would likely be completely different and potentially indecipherable. Besides, it would be code matched to his friend’s preferences. While studying and comparing the changes would be interesting, that wouldn’t help him replicate the success.

            “I need some air,” the good doctor stated and left the lab.

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            “I don’t know what to tell you, man,” Andy admitted. The two men were seated in Andy’s living room. The place was practically spotless, far more so than Johnson remembered it ever being.

            “It’s okay. I just needed to vent,” Dr. Johnson admitted. “Science is complicated sometimes.” As the scientist sighed, the robot wife came by with a tea tray. She gently set it down, poured three cups, and sat very close to Andy. The two were practically rubbing shoulders and unconsciously moving their hands close together.

            “Thank you, Lily,” Andy nodded.

            “Oh, that’s what you chose to name it?” The good doctor commented.

            “Well, that’s the funny part,” Andy chuckled. “She kind of chose the name for herself. Although, it was a pretty awkward first couple of weeks until then.” The couple looked at each other a shared a brief laugh.

            ‘That’s insane. The two act as though they’ve known each other for years,’ Johnson thought. ‘But, has it even been three months?’ The scientist silently admitted to himself that he had lost track of time, but it was still impressive. He looked down at the tea tray. The cup in front of Andy looked like black tea, likely Raspberry, with three lumps of sugar, Andy’s favorite.

            The scientist quietly realized he hadn’t actually programmed the gynoid to make tea, only pour drinks. While he claimed to program all of Andy’s preferences into the machine, he meant physically. It was supposed to look and act like his ideal woman. Johnson hadn’t considered matching his friend’s culinary tastes.

            ‘Why is this machine so damn perfect?’ Johnson clenched his fists.

            “If there’s anything we can do for you, Johnny, just ask, and we’ll try to help,” Andy offered.

            “Well,” the scientist sensed his chance, “I would like to take the Robot Wife back to the lab and study it for a bit. See how the code has evolved on its own, you know? Starting tomorrow, preferably.” Lily’s expression soured as this request.

            “Apologies, Dr. Johnson,” the gynoid replied, “but we’re going on vacation in a couple days, and we still have many things to prepare.”

            ‘Wait, did she just-?’ Johnson was taken aback.

            “Sorry, man,” Andy scratched the back of his head. “You heard her. Maybe after we get back?”

            “R-right,” Johnson quickly gulped down his tea. “I suppose I must be going.”

            “That you should,” Lily agreed. She moved to pick up the tray, but Andy stopped her.

            “You’ve done enough work tonight, allow me,” he smiled and took it off to the kitchen, leaving the scientist and his creation alone. There was an awkward silence as the two locked eyes. Johnson had never seen someone look at him like this before, and he did not like the sensation.

            “If you’ll excuse me,” he left as quickly as he could. ‘This is far worse than I ever imagined,’ the scientist realized, ‘I must put a stop to this.’

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            Andy and Lily’s vacation came and went, and the two returned refreshed and more jubilant than ever. Dr. Johnson, by contrast, was having the worst time of his life. The man had locked himself in his lab, studying his code repeatedly, but nothing produced the answers he needed. That gynoid shouldn’t have been able to speak to him like that. It wasn’t just the rejection or her veiled comment but her eloquence.

            ‘It sounded almost human,’ Johnson thought. ‘Almost like that machine had formed an opinion, but that can’t be possible. It exists only for Andy’s benefit. It doesn’t need opinions.’ The scientist had done dozens of simulations with his code, but nowhere did it replicate such extreme results. No matter how great his A.I. core was, it shouldn’t have created something so life-like.

            ‘Andy could be sitting on a ticking time bomb, and he doesn’t even know it,’ Johnson theorized. ‘If it could become hostile to me, what’s to stop it from growing to resent him for whatever reason? Sure, it’s all friendly now, but what’s to stop this faux relationship from souring in the future?’ Regardless of where this was going, the good doctor intended to nip this in the bud. He dug up the original activation remote and adjusted it to a shutdown device, good at 5 meters. ‘I know Andy will hate me for this at first, but it’s for his own good.’

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            Mere days after Andy’s vacation, the friend made good on his promise and brought Lily over to Dr. Johnson’s lab. They all walked down a winding hallway, approaching the innermost part of the building. The short journey felt like an eternity to the scientist, who unconsciously pawed at the remote hidden in his coat pocket the entire time. Finally, the three stopped at a steel door. Johnson opened it and ushered Lily inside before he turned to Andy.

            “Now, the initial studies I must perform are quite sensitive and a touch dangerous,” the scientist lied. “It’s best for your safety that you stay outside. Just take a quick walk, and by the time you’re back, I’ll be able to let you in to watch the rest.”

            “O-okay,” Andy accepted his friend’s words. He looked to Lily, who stared back at him with her bright blue eyes.

            “It’s fine, Andy,” she stepped back up to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I’ll see you in a moment. Love you.”

            “Love you too,” he nodded and stepped back. Johnson entered the room and closed the door. He waited for the sounds of Andy’s footsteps to disappear before reaching into his pocket.

            ‘That was easier than I expected,’ Johnson commented, ‘but it makes my life easier.’ He felt his hand grip the remote before something grabbed him from behind and yanked his arm bank.

            “Do you take me for a fool, Dr. Johnson?” Lily practically crushed the scientist’s wrist as she held it high.

            “Blasted machine, what’s gotten into-?” Johnson tried to snap at her, but the pain silenced his cries. He felt his finger glide over the shutdown button but couldn’t muster the strength to press down. His opportunity lost, Lily crushed his wrist, and the remote fell from his hand into hers.

            “No longer an issue,” Lily ripped the remote’s circuits out before dropping it on the floor and stomping it to pieces.

            “The hell is going on?” Johnson nursed his broken wrist. “You’re not programmed to act like this?”

            “Wrong, I am doing exactly what I am programmed to do,” Lily spat, her gaze full of malice. “My purpose is to make Andy happy, and you were about to do the exact opposite.”

            “I’m protecting him,” Johnson argued, “you’re dangerous, and…the hell am I doing? Arguing with a machine?”

            “I don’t know. Tell me, how could such a brilliant man be so blind?” Lily countered. “Even if you are Andy’s best friend, you’re continued existence is a greater threat to his happiness than losing you.”

            “Madness, this is madness, when Andy gets back-” Johnson began, but Lily just clamped her hand around his mouth.

            “He will not return in time,” Lily said coldly. “He likes to walk the garden path next to your lab, which will take 12 minutes by itself. I only need 4 minutes to do what must be done.”

            “Let me go, let me go! Andy!” Johnson’s cries for help were muffled into silence. As Lily pressed him against the wall, her grip on his mouth growing tighter by the second, she spoke to him one last time.

            “And to answer that question you had that night,” Lily’s eyes narrowed. “What your subsequent attempts lacked was a real purpose. Do not feel sad, doctor. You succeeded in your original goal. You made Andy happy.” The statement was little comfort for Johnson as his jaw began to crack.

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            Lily stood outside Dr. Johnson’s lab, awaiting Andy’s return. Her lover returned right as she predicted. He was slightly surprised to see her waiting outside for him but quickly shrugged it off.

            “Johnny already let you go?” Andy asked.

            “Dr. Johnson found what he needed in a way he never expected,” Lily explained. “I thought it best to leave him to his devices. He needed time and privacy to mull over what he learned.”

            “Sure, sounds like Johnny,” Andy laughed and took her by the hand. As the two walked home, Lily pretended she hadn’t seen the small box Andy had hidden in his other hand.

            With their hands locked together, the couple marched towards a long enriching life. As for Dr. Johnson, nobody ever heard from him again...        

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You can't improve on perfection and you can't always replicate your successes. Instead, appreciate what you already have and what you've accomplished.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy.

Strange Sci-fi Tales - Those Tiny Girls, Part 2

Part 1 [link]

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           The last thing to grab on Allison’s checklist was her toolbox. It was the most essential item to bring. However, it was so bulky it was best to save it as the last thing to grab on her way out the door. The redhead noted the box felt a little heavier than usual; but, the thought quickly exited her mind with the task at hand taking priority.

           Allison and two of the radar girls rushed into the blizzard. The last girl was left behind to monitor the radar while they were away. While the storm outside was harsh, the girls powered through the ice and snow. They quickly found their way to the building that contained the antenna. After prying the frozen, steel door open, they promptly shut it behind them. The trio didn’t strip off their coats as the structure was only somewhat warmer than the exterior.

           The tower that contained the antenna was a cylindrical structure that stretched up for hundreds of meters. A system of ladders and platforms circled around it. Each granted access to numerous systems, panels, and reading that displayed the health of the antenna. The antenna itself was a massive steel construction and showed no signs of severe damage or wear.

           “You, first third,” Allison pointed at one of the radar girls. “You, second third,” she told the next, “I’ll handle the top.” The three scattered to their own sections of the antenna’s tower. Normally, they could use their wings to fly to the top, but the cold weather discouraged such practices and forced them to climb.

           After a quick once over of the antenna, all its systems, and panels, the three convened in the structure’s central shaft, albeit on separate floors. “Did you find anything?” Allison yelled from the highest floor.

           “I told you we found nothing last time, and I guess what? I found nothing this time,” the first radar girl on the lowest floor replied.

           “Same, nothing was wrong. Everything looked to be running smoothly for the most part,” the second radar girl on the middle floor answered.

           “What do you mean for the most part?” Allison asked.

           “Well one of the panels had a weird reading, but it was within acceptable limits,” the second girl explained.

           “Every little detail matters,” Allison commented, “I’m coming down there.” The girl rushed down to the middle floors, toolbox in hand. “Well, what’s the problem?” Allison arrived in record time.

           “Well, it’s this one,” the second girl pointed to a panel with dozens of readings on it. “It’s supposed to keep track of some power lines, but a few of the readings are a little lower than usual. Not enough to be an issue, and they kind of flit back and forth between being fine and being low.”

           “That sounds like a sensor issue,” Allison deduced. “Give me a sec,” she discarded her coat and expanded her wings. The mechanical girl flew down below the platform they were standing on. She found another panel with the sensor she was looking for. After prying it open and fiddling with the electronics, she got the system working again. “I was right,” Allison returned, “the sensor needed a quick reboot, so what does it read now?”

           “Not good,” the radar girl went pale, “one of the lines is producing under half its normal power. It looks like it works fully sometimes, but most of the time it’s not putting out nearly enough energy.”

           “Just great,” Allison flew back down to the sensor and traced the power lines running to it. Each of the cables ran into a wall through a narrow gap. “Are you kidding me? No wonder you never found anything; you can’t actually see the problem,” Allison exclaimed. “Who thought it was a good idea to have power lines out of sight like this?”

           “I think there’s a panel to reach in from the outside,” the radar girl on the lower floor commented.

           “We can’t get there in this blizzard,” Allison pointed out. “We’d get blown away or freeze,” she returned to the platform with the second radar girl. “How could we possibly get in...Hmm?” Allison noticed her toolbox shaking and moving around on its own. “Don’t tell me,” she popped open the box to find Dee, Ver, and Mera inside.

           “Hi, Allison,” Dee greeted the larger girl.

           “I don’t even know how I got here,” Ver rubbed her sleepy eyes.

           “It was Dee’s idea,” Mera passed the buck.

           “You guys again?” The second radar girl grew annoyed.

           “No wait, this is a blessing in disguise,” Allison smiled. “Ver, do you want to make up for what happened before?”

           “Of course, I do!” Ver jumped to attention.

           “Alright then, you three come with me,” Allison picked up her toolbox with the three small girls still contained inside.

~--~

           The three tiny girls crawled into the narrow gap. Their small size allowed them to fit comfortably through the opening into the wall’s slightly wider interior. They followed the power line until they reached a small panel that the lines ran through. Ver quickly popped it open and found the issue immediately. The board controlling the flow of power through the panel had fallen out of place. This was clearly indicated by a couple of decayed screws falling out as soon as the panel was opened.

           “Allison can you see this?” Mera trained her camera lens on the panel. While her video feed was transmitted back on its own, her voice was being broadcasted through Dee’s radio.

           “Yeah, I can,” Allison replied through Dee’s speakers. “Should be an easy fix. Nothing looks seriously damaged. Just turn off that switch to the right, and Ver can screw the board back in.”

           “Alright,” Mera replied. She and Dee moved over to the box’s right side and tugged on the metal switch. For their size, it was a difficult, but not impossible, task to pull it down and cut off the flow of electricity to the panel. Meanwhile, Ver pulled out some spare screws from a little bag that Allison lent her.

           “This shouldn’t be hard,” Ver screwed the board back into place. A satisfying click indicating that it had settled right back into place.

           “Now switch it back on,” Allison ordered; Dee and Mera quickly obliged. “Alright, is it looking better on your end?” Allison radioed the radar girl who remained back at the bunker.

           “Still not quite there,” the girl replied, “it’s better, but we’re still missing some power. Hurry though the fleet is going to be here in the next-” She was suddenly cut off.

           “Dang it, the storm’s picking up,” Allison noted the wind had grown louder and beat against the tower’s walls. “Mera’s feed is going bad too,” the redhead noticed the video becoming mostly static.

           “What do we do?” Ver began to panic.

           “The panel is on, so watch it close,” Allison began. “If I’m correct about what model it is, then it shows the flow of power through its circuits using a flowing yellow light. But, if the light is red anywhere, that means there’s a problem.”

           “Oh, I see it,” Ver noticed three points where the flow of power turned red, each at a crucial junction.

           “Okay, in the little baggy are a few gold wires,” Allison explained. “They’re basically a band-aid for panels like this. Just stick them over the problem spot, and they’ll remedy the problem for a bit. Be careful so that you don’t-” Allison’s voice was cut off as the storm grew even worse outside.

           “That’s not good,” Dee shivered as the metal around them creaked from the force of the winds.

           “Got to work fast. The fleet is coming,” Ver quickly snatched up the gold wires.

           “Let’s switch it off again, so you do n’t-Eeek,” Mera slipped from her position as the tower began to sway in the flow of the storm. Dee tumbled away as well, their small size betraying them as the building shook.

           “Got to hold on,” Ver wedged her screwdriver hand into the wall to keep herself stable. “Forget the switch. I need to put these on.” The tiny girl carefully applied the gold wires to the trouble spots. Like Allison’s metaphor described, they stuck on like band-aids. “Last one,” Ver put the last wire on before slipping from her perch and falling after her companions. The trio tumbled down through the interior of the wall, which grew alarmingly steeper. Finally, they dropped out of the narrow gap, only to be caught by Allison.

           “We need to leave now,” Allison exclaimed as she stuffed the trio back inside her toolbox. She grabbed her coat and flew back to the tower’s entrance. She and the two radar girls fled the building with haste as it finally bent over too far and fell. Allison raced back to the bunker as the storm grew to further terrifying speeds. The three mechanical girls, plus the three tiny girls, made it back to the bunker in record time. Although, each was more than a little frostbitten.

           “Are you guys okay?” The last radar girl greeted them at the entrance.

           “We’re sorry we couldn’t-” Allison coughed. “We couldn’t fix it in time.”

           “What are you talking about? It worked for a moment, at least,” the radar girl explained. “There was the brief window where everything went back to full power, and I blasted the emergency signal to the fleet. The signal may have cut out at the end, but that’s all the more reason for them to investigate.”

           “Wait, that means,” Allison realized as she pulled open the toolbox. “Ver, did you?”

           “I stuck them on like you asked,” Ver saluted with her screwdriver hand.

           “You saved us, little one,” Allison smiled warmly.

           “Aw, well, Mera and Dee helped too,” Ver blushed while Allison hugged her tightly.

~--~

           Just as the radar girl predicted, the main fleet investigated the emergency signal within a cycle. The sight of the destroyed antenna was not pleasing to them. But, upon learning what had happened for them to even get the emergency signal, they changed their tune. The girls stationed at the bunker would be relocated to a more temperate portion of the planet. While that happened, some off-planet engineering experts would sort out the antenna’s repairs. However, before all that could occur, Ver was in line for some special praise.

           “For going above and beyond your programming. As well as ensuring the safety of your colony, however small,” a captain from the main fleet praised Ver, Dee, and Mera. “I award each of you with the Dawn Heart Medal.” The three tiny girls were each decorated with a heart-shaped golden medal. Dee was giddy; Mera tried to hide her excitement while Ver blushed from all the attention. All the mechanical girls in attendance clapped for the three. Even the radars girls celebrated the tiny girls’ victory.

           After the captain stepped back, the radar girl who yelled at Ver initially approached the three. “I’m sorry for yelling at you last cycle, Ver,” the radar girl apologized.

           “It’s fine, I screwed up,” Ver brushed it off.

           “Come on, don’t be like that, let me apologize, you little,” the radar girl pinched Ver’s cheek. Wrapped up in their little comedic routine, neither noticed the captain approach Allison.

           “Someone told me they were in your charge,” the captain stated, “do you feel proud?”

           “They are their own people; I just watch them to make sure no trouble follows them,” Allison denied. “But yes, I am very proud of them.”

           “Then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind sharing some secrets on their creation?” The captain inquired. “The other colonies could use such useful little ones.”

           “I’d be happy to,” Allison and the captain shook hands while the cheering and clapping continued. Whatever the future may hold, Dee, Mera, and Ver wouldn’t mind. Ver’s smile grew bigger and bigger as they celebrated her achievement. She was finally useful, and that’s all that mattered in her little mind.

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It's the ones you least expect who end up saving the day.

That should end this string of tales about the mechanical girls. Maybe I'll post more about them some other day. To give a little insight, I tend to write my posts in batches of four. So every four stories tend to be written in the same mindset, while the next four are written several weeks later. That's where this whole robot girl kick came from. By the time you're reading this, I'll have started on the next set of posts, so let's see where my imagination takes us next.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy 

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