Vex turns to me, her artificial brow pinched. “Decay.”
I sigh, aiming the flashlight at the ruins surrounding us. “I can’t argue with that. But don’t worry; the wastelands can be pretty. Especially at sunset or sunrise. We’ll have to get out of the city first.”
“The sun…” Vex whispers.
When the scientists created her, they gave her the complete language software, of course. So she has a definition of sun.She knows what it is. But there is an entire universe between knowing and experiencing. Even for a robot.
“Do you feel something right now?” I ask.
Artificial emotions are common for most AIs. It’s the closest they can get to humanity.
“Yes,” she says with a smile pulling at her pale lips. “I’m relieved to finally be out. And yet, terrified. I’m also grateful and so happy to see your face.”
I laugh. “My face?”
“It’s beautiful and youthful.”
“Thanks. You too.”
“Am I beautiful?” she asks.
“Oh, yes. You’re stunning in an eerie way.”
“Is that… good?”
“Yeah. There is no problem with being a little eerie. I like it. You’re beautiful, Vex.”
She offers me the first real smile since I freed her from her prison. She has a row of perfect white teeth. I wonder if they gave her jaws strength to bite. It’s an unsettling thought.
I reach for the small solar lamp hanging from my belt and turn it on. I need to save the flashlight batteries.
“I know you certainly want to explore and see the world right now, but it’s too risky,” I say. “We’ll have to wait for morning. We can’t risk lighting a fire either. So, we’ll stay in the truck. Just in case. Lesson number one in the outside world: always be prepared for a quick escape. Understood?”
Vex nods. “Yes.”
We settle inside my truck for the night. Vex lets me take the pillow and the blanket; she has obviously no use for them. She’s fascinated by the knick-knacks I left lying around. Especially the plushie. It’s a purple and pink octopus with sparkly eyes. I traded for it with a merchant while I was getting supplies before leaving. I want to find out when Alastair’s birthday is and give itto him. I’ll make sure he keeps it beside his throne during royal audiences, just for giggles.
“It needs a good wash,” I say as she touches it with her fingertips.
Apparently, the merchant found it in the ruins of an aquarium’s gift shop along the coast. It had been waterlogged years ago, and most stuff was unusable. Except for the plushies.
“What is it?” she asks.
“An octopus.”
“Do they really look like that?”
I laugh. “No. Stellan has a lot of documentaries on animals at home. You can watch them when we get back. It’ll teach you a lot about our planet.”
She smiles. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Perri.”
“You’re welcome. Now, we can’t do much right now, and I know you don’t need to sleep. But I can put on an audiobook for you. I’ve got hundreds saved on my tablet. They help me fall asleep. Would you like that?”
Vex nods. “I would be delighted.”
“Perfect. You’ve got any preferences?”
She shakes her head. “I’ve never read or listened to any books.”
