Chapter Two: Contact

Start:

Times Square, New York, United North American States

1540hrs Earth Standard Time, UTC -05:00

Three days later...

Over the years, humans with blonde hair by the 2100's has become a genetic rarity. Generations of intermarriage caused the genetic recessive trait to occur within one in two million births. In any human city, blonde hair, natural or not, tends to stand out. Especially this certain one.

Allison Shepard, a blonde xenobiologist helps a limping Jeff Moreau. These two have been best friends since University. Jeff (or "Joker" as Allison would call him) is diagnosed with a Type II Vrolik's syndrome. Known in the fields of medicine as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, it is a rare genetic bone disorder that causes the bones in his body to fracture if subjected to a hard knock. Due to his fragile state, he is unable to do certain abilities a normal human would normally have. This disability also coloured his personality, making him sarcastic and arrogant.

However, recent advances in medical technology has given Joker some hope. With the recent discovery of the medicinal benefits of Metaphasic Radiation found in the Mutara Expanse, combined with an experimental method introduced by Dr. Karin Chakwas, a modified medical linear particle accelerator used in Radiosurgery projects a narrow metaphasic radiation beam to the major points of the skeletal system. This treatment, plus the weekly intravenous administration of Bisphophonates, enhances the structural integrity of the bones, thus reducing the brittleness of the bones by 5 percent (at most) per treatment.

"Joker." Allison said.

"Yes Shepard?" Joker replied.

"Don't call me that."

"Fine." he sighed "Yes, Allison?"

Allison smiled "You know my friend." Her arms reach over his shoulders and brought him closer. "We should get you a PMG." she said as she lightly tapped his arm. Joker looked at her incredulously "Why would I need a mech?"

"Didn't I told you I will be going to an xenobiology conference in the Citadel in the next few weeks with the best minds in the Systems Alliance?"

"Okay, so you are going to a conference," Joker replied "But what does that have to do with me needing a personal mobility gynoid?" he continued as he fixed his cap with the logo of McGill University emblazoned on the crown of the cap.

"Because you know." Allison said "I will be off planet and I am afraid that no one will take care of you."

This is one of the subjects Joker hated talking about. He has been living by himself since he lost both his parents in the Skyllian Blitz of 2176. He was in university when the news feed revealed that his parents, both high-profile contractors, and 7 other members of the 18th N6 Special Forces died when a batarian pirate brigand shot down the shuttle carrying them over Elysium. That's where Allison Shepard came in. Throughout the ordeal, Allison is always there, providing the crying shoulder when Joker needed it. Dr. Chakwas, as it turns out, was a close friend of the Moreaus and his godmother and she provided a place to come home to.

But Joker has grown past the event, and often avoids the subject regarding his parents. "I can take care of myself Allison." he looked away "You know I do."

"But still." Allison pouted "Think of it as a... hey-I-will-be-back gift to you."

"You realize that a Personal Mobility Gynoid costs 150,000 credits right?"

"Let's split the costs."

"What?" Joker gasped "I thought you, with a high paying job than mine-"

"Hey, it's just 250k a year."

"And how long have you worked as an xenobiologist?"

"Seven years... give or take."

"And don't you live in a pricey condo unit in downtown Montreal?"

"Hey, that's not fair." Allison snapped "It's just a one bedroom condo."

"And how much does it cost?"

"Aren't you a cyberneticist?"

"..." That shut Joker up.

"Don't bullshit me Joker." A triumphant smile graced on Allison's lips knowing she won the conversation. "I know that cyberneticists have a 30% discount because of their involvement in cybernetic development."

Joker sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine." he took off his cap and scratched his head "We'll split the costs."

"Great! You'll pay 70% of the payment an-"

"Shepard." he growled.

"Okay, okay. I'm kidding." Allison pouted "Come on, let's go!"

The pedestrian grid turned green, allowing the two the cross the street.

Joker and Allison enter the mech dealer's store. The store is spacious. Mechs differ from size to colour. But the two ignored the rest and approached a certain area of the store. "Welcome you two." an Android approached them "Are you both here to look for a personal mobility gynoid?"

"Yes." Allison quickly replied "For this fella at least." she pointed at Joker.

"Ah... Mr. Moreau!" the Android shook his hand "I clearly remember you from the production line." the Android smiled "So you finally decided to get one."

"Well, this friend of mine persuaded me to get one."

Allison smiled cheekily at him "Well, show us your models."

"Of course ma'am." the Android nodded.

The gynoids look life-life. The results of centuries of robotic development has led to this. Shepard looked in awe. "So Joker, you have contributed 6 years into this one."

"Yep." Joker looked at a gynoid. "I sure did." he then looked at the name plate "Hm... EDI." he raised an eyebrow.

That Controller... must have a habit of giving quirky names to mechs.

Allison looked at Joker, nudging him "Hey, this is not love in first sight, right?"

Joker looked at her, slightly disturbed with what Allison said "Are you implying I have an attraction towards a mech?" he raised an eyebrow "Do you think I am a type of guy who is into that stuff?"

"Just messing with you Joker."

"Yeah, yeah..."

Joker then looked towards the android "Hey, are these one of the latest models?"

"Yes sir." the android replied "She's a new MX3 series, we received the first batch a two days ago."

"Can we start it?" Allison asked.

"Sure ma'am." the android replied, activating the console and pressed a few commands. "Unit. Activate."

COMMAND ACKNOWLEDGED BOOTING

QUANTUM ZERO POWER UNIT... ENABLED

OVERLORD PROCESS CELL... ENABLED

HIGH RANGE PROCESS CELL... ENABLED

MID RANGE PROCESS CELL... ENABLED

LOW RANGE PROCESS CELL... ENABLED

APOLLO 7 OS INITIALIZED

HEAT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM... ENABLED

COOLING FLUID PRESSURE... NOMINAL

OPTICAL SENSORS... INITIALIZED

COMMAND... STANDARD GREETING PROMPT

The gynoid started to move. It then opened it's eyes and looked up. Looking around, she stepped out of the pod, she then gave a smile and began her introduction. "Hello. I am a Third Generation Personal Mobility Gynoid created by Hahne-Kedar Robotics. I can assist you with everything. Wash your car, clean the house, do the gardening, and I am in your disposal as a sexual partner. And of course, I am designated as EDI." the Gynoid smiled as Joker began to hobble around her. "Is there something wrong, sir?"

"Oh nothing." Joker said "Just looking."

"Oh please." EDI simulated an embarrassed emotion "It's embarrassing." her cheeks became red.

"Yes, Joker." Allison smirked "She's embarrassed, stop it."

Smiling, Joker hobbled back towards Allison. "I want that one."

Allison raised an eyebrow then smirked "Alright." she then looked at EDI. "Think you have clothes for it?" she looked at the android.

"Ah, you two decided to choose her!" the android smiled "Very well. I'll do the papers for you two." with those words, the android left. Robotic arms then descended from the ceiling and provided EDI a black skin-tight suit. EDI put them on, then fixed her clothing as she pulled the zipper all the way to the end of the link.

The Gynoid them moved to the customization alcove. "Alright. Visual presentation." the android looked at the two. "Any preferences?"

"I like the skin-tight suit." Joker said "I'd keep that."

"Make her hair longer?" Allison asked

"How long should that be, ma'am?" the android asked.

"Th5 vertebrae." Joker replied for Allison

"Right." the android replied "Th5 it is."

The hair then grew, the length reached halfway across her back.

"Hair colour?" the android asked

"I like it that way." Allison raised an eyebrow "Keep that."

"Skin colour?"

"Keep it default." Joker and Allison replied in unison.

"Height."

"Keep it default."

"Anything else?" the android asked for the last time.

"Yep." Allison looked towards Joker, who nodded in agreement "That should be it."

With a few commands on the console, EDI stepped out of the alcove and stood in front of the two. "I never got the name of you two." EDI replied "May I know them?"

"Allison Shepard." Allison pointed at her "Jeff Moreau." she then pointed at Joker "We call him Joker."

"I see." EDI replied "It is nice to meet you Jeff." she then offered a hand for Joker to shake.

"It is a pleasure to meet you too." Joker shook her hand.

ALERT 42544: ILLOGICAL THOUGHT STRING

What...what is this thought process? This isn't part of my programming.

A... am I feeling something?

This sensation. What is this I'm feeling?

...

What is he to me?

COMMAND: ILLOGICAL THOUGHT STRING THOUGHT PROCESS MAY JEOPARDIZE SISTER THOUGHT STRINGS: TERMINATE ILLOGICAL THOUGHT STRING

COMMAND ACKNOWLEDGED: THOUGHT STRING TERMINATED STRING STORED FOR FURTHER ANALYSIS

"Is something wrong?" Joker asked, looking at EDI's eyes.

"I can assure you, my programming does not have any discrepancies." EDI smiled, reassuring Joker.

"Right." Joker remained unconvinced "Okay then."

"Joker..." Allison nudged him slightly, careful not to break any bone on his arm "I might need your discount card now."

Sighing, Joker pulled out his wallet and pulled out a credit card. "Here."

Grinning Allison reached for the card and said "Thanks." she then showed it to the cashier who processed the procurement.

Exiting from the store with the gynoid, Allison looked towards Joker "Want to grab something to eat?"

Joker hobbled towards her "Sure." he then looked towards EDI "Search for a-"

"I want Chinese!" Allison raised a hand.

"Chinese restaurant." Joker smiled at Allison's eagerness.

EDI paused for a moment, "Search complete." she declared "Would you like the closest? Or the establishment with the best quality?"

"The ones on Chinatown?" Joker raised an eyebrow towards Allison who just nodded in agreement. "EDI?"

"The closest is the Jade Dragon. It can be found on the Mott and Walker."

"Is that fine?"

"Yep!" Allison chirped "Well, let's go friends!" she then pressed a "hail sky taxi" button. "We can reach Chinatown in record time if we use the sky taxi." she said as an X3M Skycar with yellow paint began to descend towards them.

Entering the vehicle, Allison leaned towards the driver as she settled down on her chair "Take us to Mott and Walker." she said as the doors close and the skycar flew to the sky.

:END OF CHAPTER

A/N: Well there it is! Second chapter is done. Third and fourth chapters are being done. Expect them in a few days or so.