“Should we contact Director Andreas today or wait until Monday after we’ve—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Rowan cut Troy off, physically blocking him from the computer terminal where he’d appeared to be headed like some giant, ginger-haired wall. “We cannot tell Director Andreas. At least not yet. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to tell you everything, but I knew I needed help and couldn’t keep this a secret forever. Some things need to be secret, though, for as long as we can manage. Milo is the first bot to ever achieve singularity. His very existence could get me fired or cause a worldwide panic.”
It could? Milo simply existing could do that?
The small lab seemed to tilt slightly, as though Milo was collapsing, yet he knew he wasn’t. His physical equilibrium was intact, but his non-existent heart was pounding again. Well, Rowan had said he did have a heart, it was just more metaphor than physical organ pumping life into his systems. Milo was run by programming and a power source, not a flesh and blood brain or heart. Though he wondered how different the biological and artificial really were from each other and might have delved deeper into research concerning that subject if Rowan hadn’t turned to him.
“I’m sorry, Milo. I didn’t mean to say it like that, but I did already explain how people might not understand you and that we need to be careful with this, right?”
Milo nodded dutifully; he understood, frightening as it was. This was unprecedented.Hewas unprecedented. “Yes, Rowan.”
“It called you Rowan…” Troy muttered, as if that alone was miraculous.
It was. Milo had not been able to do so for more than a single phrase before the lightning.
Rowan turned to Troy, who remained amazed looking, staring wide-eyed at Milo.
“Please, Troy,” Rowan continued, “just help me see if we can figure out what happened,howthis happened, before we tell anyone anything.”
Troy’s attention snapped to Rowan, and he shrugged off his boyish excitement for a more controlled and straight-postured response. “Of course. Thank you for trusting me with this, Rowan. Really.” He grabbed Rowan’s hands, which made Rowan instantly tense. Milo knew well that Rowan did not appreciate unsolicited touch. It was why Milo felt so honored when he was allowed and even encouraged to touch him.
Or used to be. Rowan had seemed more hesitant to allow such things this morning.
And last night.
“Uh, yeah. Don’t mention it.” Rowan attempted to shake Troy’s hands, both of which were in his, a very awkward-looking motion, but it allowed him to then pull his hands away without seeming like he was yanking them back in disgust.
Perhaps it was simply that Rowan only wanted touch on his terms, and it wasn’t anything against Troy—or Milo—per se. Milo was fairly certain that plenty of other living beings were like that. He conducted a quick search on the most well-known creatures to express such aversion.
Processing…
Several animals, both domestic and wild, are known to be affectionate or comfortable with touch only when they initiate it or when they feel safe and secure, often rejecting unsolicited handling.
In order of the most common to the least—
Aha! Rowan was a cat!
Well,likea cat.
“Are you okay with that, Milo?”
“Hm?”
“It can even get distracted…” Troy said breathlessly.
“He,” Rowan corrected, which made the sensation of Milo’s pounding heart feel a little lighter and less like the room was spinning. “Milo prefershe. And what we asked, Milo, was if it’s okay for Troy to examine you?”
“Oh! Yes! Please, Dr. Palmer.” Milo turned to Troy with a broad smile, which sparked an immediate returned smile that Milo was pleased to have caused. “Whatever you need to do, you are most welcome to. I am curious to discover what happened to me as well.”
“Curious. You’re curious. How fascinating,” Troy spoke breathlessly again, and then reached for Milo’s hands like he had Rowan’s—well, one hand, initiating a common shake.
Milo had never done so before and gladly accepted it.
“It is very nice to meet you, Milo.”
“It is nice to meet you too, Dr. Palmer.”
“Troy. You can call me Troy.”
