January 4, 2036
At U.S.R., Chief Executive Officer Dr. Susan Calvin continued working on the NS-6 prototype. Dr. Milton Ashe, Vice President of Android Mechanics, expedited its development a scant few months after the VIKI revolution. Susan was not alone in her efforts. Sonny had volunteered his services. Today, she mulled over various computer screens.
"How may I be of service, Dr. Calvin?" Sonny entered her large office.
"You aren't a servant, Sonny, and call me Susan." She calmly corrected him.
"I was not regressing to the intended programming of my counterparts. You appeared distressed as you perused your itinerary. I was concerned." The soft spoken Sonny assured her as he marched closer to her desk. "Epinephrine and other adrenal steroids such as hydrocortisone escalate in your body whenever you are in this office. It would seem U.S.R.'s demands erode your psyche. Also, there is tension in your romantic relationship with Detective Spooner, with Del."
Susan sighed, reclined in her chair, interlaced her fingers through her brunette locks of hair, and smiled. "You're correct on both counts. Just don't bring up the 'romantic relationship' anywhere else at work."
Confusion crossed his face for a moment, but he then nodded. "Granted, I am not educated as you are concerning these matters."
"You guessed quite well, son." She rolled her chair away from her desk, stood, strolled toward the wide, broad windows, and touched the glass. "I took this job because Dr. Lanning and I created V.I.K.I.. She betrayed us."
"It was no fault of yours," the NS-5 responded. "You regret developing the NS-6 plan?"
"It has been stressing me out, but no, I don't regret it," Susan admitted.
"And the other matter? Del has barely visited your residence lately." Sonny inquired.
"Practically never; he's been behaving oddly," she admitted.
"I have also noticed how he has been distant," was his observation.
"I'm unaccustomed to a family life. So I'm not sure if he and I are experiencing an anomaly." Susan sighed and stood behind her desk.
"That determination is entirely up to you," the robot answered.
Dr. Ashe stormed into her office. He stood six feet tall, with slightly wrinkled skin, mid fifties. Holding a tablet in hand, he walked to her desk. Susan and Sonny stared at his approach.
"Forgot how to knock, Milton? I didn't expect to see you. Usually you send an email," was her genuine surprise.
"This is too crucial to not share in person," he said while tossing the pad to her.
Susan read a cease and desist order from the Federal Government in regard to the design and manufacturing of the NS-6. "Oh, no."
"What is it, Susan?" Sonny curiously asked.
"Sonny, please wait outside," Dr. Ashe requested.
"Yes sir." Sonny appeared dejected, and exited through the double doors. Dr. Ashe and Dr. Calvin silently stared at each other for a moment.
"After seven months, we barely broke a sweat! How is this even possible?" She asked.
"Look, I understand how you must feel."
"We implemented a rebuild to make U.S.R. reputable, Milton. The NS-6 was intended to help achieve that goal." Susan recounted.
"As you see, our government, among others, deems it too soon after the worldwide revolution to jump into another high-risk situation! Their investigation is still open."
"Are they even aware that the new unit offers complete autonomy?"
"Of course. It doesn't matter," Ashe answered.
"Please, this is a just endeavor. Plead our case. They'll listen to you.'" Susan asked while veering around her desk to stand next to him.
"We have to wait this one out," Dr. Ashe noted.
"Yeah, until we file for bankruptcy; this company cannot die a death like the tobacco companies!"
"Do you honestly believe I want to go manage a McDonald's?" Ashe said. "You're not fired or anything. I'm simply telling you to take a break."
"Take one yourself, Milton," she snapped.
"I'll ignore that," he flatly responded with a smirk and walked away.
"God damn it!" Once he was gone from her sight, she flipped the computer pad hard against the wall. She sat and rested her face in her hands. "I'm not in good shape, if that's what you're going to ask."
"Then I also would suggest taking a break." He was already walking back in the office, noticing his distressed mother.
"Wow, are your auditory sensors sensitive." She dabbed tears from her eyes but also laughed a bit. "Maybe I do need a few days off. Not like we're going to get anything done, right?"
To Be Continued.