Chapter II - Stress
INITIALIZING…
SYSTEMS ONLINE…
Resolution of the image was sufficient for facial recognition. Reflection and texture of the surface ahead indicated that the subject was behind 0.75-centimeter glass.
Blinking mechanism activated to clean lenses.
Female identified: Amanda Stern.
Audio processors functional.
Amanda laid her hand flat against the surface.
It scanned the size of her hand, the length of the fingers, and the pressure of the palm against the surface. It zoomed on the fine prints, the ridges, and folds that make the body part unique than any other person in the database. It imitated the human and placed its hand against the glass as well. Against the human's dark-colored hand, its part was a little bigger, made of smooth, white silicone. It was different.
"You have made some excellent progress." The woman smiled and moved her face closer against the glass, her nose almost touching the surface.
Emotion analyzed. Happiness? Satisfaction? Wonder?
"RK800, #313 248 317 - 51, I have a surprise for you. It's time to register your name."
"My name is Connor, I'd like to help you cross the street." With a little nod and a smile, the elderly human reacted favorably to the android. Her body language was relaxed rather than alert, taking Connor's hand and accepting its offer to help carry her grocery bags.
"Thank you, son." She beamed with a toothy grin as she joined a group of aged humans. The facial recognition scans did not yield any record of the old woman in any database and Connor added her under its unidentified list. "What a lovely young man, do you know him."
Humans reacted positively to a gentleman: polite, refined, respectful, and empathic. Based on 121 direct interactions with humans, the most common responses upon learning Connor was a machine were the following: surprise (96%), disbelief (74%), curiosity (63%), and amusement (53%). Most emotional responses were considered neutral according to its social program. When Connor was unable to disclose the information that it was an android, responses were more varied.
Connor heard some giggles beside him: five female juveniles were whispering to each other, their faces displaying the emotion of happiness, and cheeks darker in color. Blushing was a common human response for attraction, embarrassment, anger, or high temperatures. Connor gently smiled back and the girls ran away, making high pitched noises.
0:03
0:02
0:01
Connor picked a spot beside an unopened store to transmit the report uninterrupted. The previous reports resulted in the interruption of traffic and hostility of pedestrians.
Stress level: 55%
The order was transmitted 72 hours ago: Prioritize Sector 5. However, Connor had only produced 53% compared to the same timeframe in Sector 8.
Amanda gave her a reply: Inefficient.
Stress level: 67%
The lower foot traffic and economic activity could explain the gap, but Connor was programmed to find solutions. Progress was necessary and the following objectives still remained:
1. [ENCRYPTED]
2. Identify and report suspected Avalanche members
3. Search for information about Avalanche's hideout
4. Collect data for Shinra profiling initiative
Profiling based on age and focusing on key areas such as the marketplaces, hospitals, transportation would improve the likelihood of finding Avalanche affiliated persons. Emotional motivation would also be a strong factor: individuals who originated from Wutai, Gongaga, and Corel could harbor some anti-Shinra sentiments. Added filters on audio processors would detect regional accents to identify targets. Humans tend to form communities with others that shared the same culture and language.
After a long list of new directives, Connor added another objective: Maintain a positive image in the Sector 5 community.
The store called "Aquamore" finally opened its curtains, revealing several aquariums. Connor identified 26 different species of the 342 fish displayed. A lone goldfish inside a 10.24-gallon bowl caught Connor's attention. The animal's large eyes stared back to the android as it desperately swam against its barrier. Its bowl was too small and only 42% of the optimal volume of water. Was it aware that there was nothing beyond? Even if it was aware, would it continue swimming ahead? Connor lightly tapped his finger against the glass and watched the fish's reaction to the stimulus. "Don't jump out," Connor whispered.
Stress level: 56%
Connor concluded that the maps of Sector 5 were inaccurate and outdated. Unlike Sector 8 with concrete roads and traffic signs, Sector 5 was a maze with urban planning nonexistent. The roads on the government-provided maps were unfinished, steel bars jutting out, and asphalt peeled away. Sidewalks were occupied by illegal structures, open sewers taking their place in some areas.
At 9:21PM, the volume of people on the streets dropped. Most humans had already retreated back to their unstable shelters - tightly packed and lacking in privacy. Only 65% of the street lamps were functional, straining the android's visual processors. The lights from the plate were too high and underpowered to touch the ground.
A noisy splash and change in elevation alerted Connor. It looked down on the leather shoes provided by Amanda: no longer clean and shiny, now caked in greasy mud.
Stress level: 60%
Connor reached another dead end. It was the third point in the map that needed updating as inaccessible. The destination, however, was not pointless. Large, neon-green letters delivered the message: SAVE OUR PLANET. DOWN WITH SHINRA!
Whoever painted the graffiti left some fingerprints. No traces of DNA.
"Shit, it's true. It looks so much human," a voice called from behind the android. Seven humans, all-male, approached Connor.
"Hello robot! We're friends."
"Does it understand you?"
Connor stood in a formal posture, fixed its tie, and clasped its hands together. "Good evening, my name is Connor. How can I help you?" Four of the seven humans had criminal records- mostly robbery, and trespassing.
"Hi, Connor, I heard you're fixing like.. electric stuff," one slowly approached while the others had their hands behind their back. There was a 64% likelihood they were concealing some weapons. "Can you take a look at my house?"
Sympathy was necessary and Connor adjusted his eyebrows to imitate a troubled human. "I deeply apologize if you're experiencing some inconvenience, but I am afraid I'm authorized to make repairs myself. May I know your full name and permanent address?" The man didn't answer.
"It's unarmed, just take it!" One person from the back shouted out and the rest
Another revealed a baseball bat. "Matt, get the truck now!"
"Hey, hey! Don't damage anything, just hold it down."
With the intent made clear, Connor had to decide in 2.4 seconds.
1. Use gun for elimination: 100% fatality. Estimated time: 5.3 seconds. Conflicting priorities. Violence would result in a negative image to the community.
2. Use gun to injure limbs: 18% probability of fatality. Estimated time: 11.2 seconds. Conflicting priorities. Violence would result in a negative image to the community.
3. Escape: 13% success rate.
4. Reason.
Aerith happily skipped with an empty basket at hand, her pockets heavy with bills and coins. It was a perfect way to end Friday night. It wasn't only the sold-out inventory that brought happiness to the woman, but the beautiful smile of the bride as she marched with a full bouquet on her hands. Her soles were sore after a full day of work, but her mind and body felt refreshed as if she had a good night's sleep.
Sometimes Aerith would get a reminder by her mother to spend more money and treat herself. On good days she rewarded herself with a few drinks at bars or cafes, meeting with friends and sometimes new people. Tonight seemed perfect to spend at home with a warm bubble bath, hot tea, and a lavender-scented candle beside her.
A loud honk startled Aerith, followed by glaring headlights. "Watch out!" She screamed, evading the vehicle just by mere inches. Muddy water splashed against Aerith's face, soaking her pink dress and her bra. She quickly turned to glare at the offender, taking note of the license plate.
Just a few meters away, the white container truck shook, skidded and rolled into a ditch nearby. Aerith's anger quickly dissolved and changed into worry as she ran to investigate. The vehicle dove headfirst with wheels still turning. Thankfully the water was too shallow for anyone to drown.
"Hey, anyone there? I can help you," Aerith called out, peering down. There were noises inside the truck, sounding like grunts and curses, followed by a violent knocking at the back. Whoever was inside was desperate to get out and Aerith quickly descended.
As soon as Aerith turned the knobs of the container, a man kicked them open and climbed out of the truck. He was breathing heavily and his eyes were wide in fear. Aerith almost didn't recognize him without his jacket, but the glowing LED circle on his temple was a dead giveaway. This time, it was red and spinning wildly. "Connor, is that you?"
"Aerith," he acknowledged between breaths and ran past her.
More men climbed out but with bloodied noses and busted lips. They ignored Aerith and chased after Connor with crowbars and baseball bats.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing? I'm gonna call-" Aerith warned to no avail to the group. These lowlifes made the slums unsafe, forcing others to live in fear. Her own heart raced and anger bubbled from within, spreading heat to the tips of her fingers. Aerith gripped her staff and channeled her power.
She might have shorter legs but she knew how to overtake them. A few shortcuts and pipes to climb was all it took for Aerith to climb on top of the smaller buildings. With the vantage point, she could track the group easier and Connor can be distinguished in the dark with his red circle. The android was fast but he seemed injured - one of his arms limp on his side.
Connor collapsed and landed face-first on the ground. How it happened was unclear to Aerith. He convulsed while four of the attackers surrounded him.
"Hang on!" Aerith cast a gravity spell to aid her landing, right in the middle of the group, Connor behind her. "Leave or you'll regret it." She warned as she pointed her staff.
"Who the heck is this girl?"
"She's the flower seller."
They laughed, winked, and gave her flying kisses. "They never take me seriously," Aerith muttered and rolled her eyes. Men think they're creative with their endless flower innuendos. This was not the first time and will never be the last. "Counting three…" She charged her weapon with lightning, materia resonating inside her sling bag. "Two and one!"
Aerith planted her staff on the ground and the lightning flowed towards the targets, stunning them. Four men fell on the ground, some of them twitched and groaned in pain. They were fortunate that soil wasn't the best conductor - well at least from the very little science Aerith remembered from school. They could have suffered burns if she didn't hold back.
"Get out, all of you." She ordered the first one who recovered, whipping his legs with her staff. He ran off to the dark and the others followed. They hurled insults at Aerith as a final attempt to preserve their pride. "Ya'll trash!" She spat back.
Connor still laid on the ground stiff as a rock, his chest wasn't moving. "Hey, hey are you okay?" The woman noticed a wire attached to him and pulled it off. She never held a taser in her hands before. "Oh no," Aerith flipped Connor to face her. His eyes were opened but lifeless, but the red LED ring didn't stop spinning.
The man's eyes moved and blinked. "Hello, Aerith." He greeted the same manner as they first met - very polite. "I suppose I have to thank you for helping me."
"You weren't breathing…I thought you-" Aerith exhaled, tension leaving her body. She stood up and allowed the cool night air to calm her nerves, hoping that her heart would stop racing soon. Suddenly she was aware of how much mud there was on her clothes and her that her pockets were lighter. So much for a good Friday night.
"I apologize for worrying you, but I do not breathe." Connor pulled his limp left arm and re-attached it to his shoulder socket. It sounded exactly like cracking bones. Aerith winced but the android did not express pain or discomfort. Connor folded the edges of his sleeves and buttoned his half-opened shirt. His tie was missing.
There was a lump in Aerith's throat as upsetting images flooded her mind. "Why did they attack you?" More questions piled inside her mind, but she would rather not ask for specifics.
"They were talking about selling my whole body off to a Don or selling me piece by piece. They were in the process of dismantling my arms when I fought back," he said nonchalantly as he stood up. Connor was too calm it was unsettling.
It wasn't like that earlier. Aerith remembered the fear in Connor's eyes. "Are you alright? Do we need to go to some doctor-" she frowned. "Mechanic? Engineer?"
"Thank you, Aerith, but no need. How about this: I can walk you home if you like? As a form of gratitude."
Aerith shook her head. "But are you okay?" she asked again, looking at Connor's eyes directly, trying to find any hint of emotion. Something was wrong and she could feel it. "That taser is set at the highest voltage. You could have died."
Connor was silent for a while, his LED spun red briefly and turned to yellow before it settled again to blue. He smiled at her gently, eyes warm and kind. "I am not alive. Please, do not worry about me."
The jacket was necessary to identify Connor as Shinra property and android was able to retrieve it from the crash site intact. Like the rest of the uniform, Connor concluded it needed washing to be socially acceptable.
Stress level: 88%
Numerous warnings appeared in Connor's feed as the stress level remained above the optimal level. The core temperature remained higher, necessitating the breathing mechanism to help cool off its biocomponents.
Connor continued to walk through the streets alone at 2:11AM, scanning the homeless and drunks that passed its way. The incident earlier resulted in a loss of productivity. Without sufficient numbers, Amanda would deem Connor as inefficient.
Stress level: 91%
An intoxicated woman walked towards the android in a sluggish manner. A dark box was attached to her belt. Connor immediately scanned the object to determine if it matched any taser in the database.
Stress level: 93%
A truck passed by. Connor quickly scanned the plate number.
Stress level: 95%
Connor ran fast and his breaths went faster. Sensors detect risk all over the place, overloading its systems. A safer place was necessary for cooldown. The android didn't stop until he returned to the place he started. But unlike the mornings, the marketplace was devoid of life and activity.
The fish store was again closed, the aquariums hidden behind thick curtains.
At 97% stress level, Connor would be recalled back to the Shinra Headquarters for further diagnostic. There was still time before the next report.
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Thank you for the reviews last chapter. Let me know your thoughts. The fanfiction would likely have 7 chapters and I already planned how it would progress and end.