Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. Reviews are welcome. I don't own any characters other than Fenix Flarestone. Enjoy and stay ethical y'all.
Chapter 5: Humans Suck
Previously…
Fenix added, "Yeah, sorry about that whole… checking you out bit. That was awkward." And never have I ever see anyone in that light in my life. Never found anyone I was attracted to until now...Lore glanced at her.With everyone else, I findit most annoying. But not you. He added, "That was… adorable."Fenix changed the subject, "Hey Lore, did you want me to install the floatation device and make you waterproof? I think I'm sober enough now." Lore observed her for a moment to assess her sobriety and faintly smiled, "In exactly two minutes and twenty seconds, you'll be completely sober. Relax for a little bit until then." Fenix smiled, "Okay, sounds good. My tools and stuff are out and ready to go already." "Because you're messy." Lore snickered. She nudged his shoulder and defended, "I have a system! I don't care if you don't get it as long as I get it since I'm the one fixing you." And with that, Lore sputtered into his drink. "Hey, thanks for drinking with me even though you can't get drunk. Its more fun when you have someone to drink with." With a faint yet sincere smile, he mumbled, "Anytime, kid." Lore sipped on his beer enjoying the bitter dry taste and the company of his new friend.
Fenix monotonously commanded Lore, "Take your clothes off." He looked up with interest. Is it what I think she's asking?"I can stick the floatation device in you and I'll make sure you're tight so you don't get wet." Lore looked at her dumbfounded as he blinked a few times. Maybe not… got my hopes up for second there. Fenix realized her mistake with a silly grin,"Um, that thought didn't sound bad in my head but when it came out, that was just wrong on so many levels... Fuck me." Fenix shook her head. Lore howled at her embarrassment. "Well, my offer still stands. I am fully functional, after all." and stripped off his sweater. But you are a little young… would be wrong of me if I did that to her. Fenix face-palmed her blush and tried to look away but she was couldn't tear her eyes off of his lean build, his skin was white as the snow that shone gold in certain lighting. Her blush and obvious staring didn't go unnoticed by him, he stifled a smile and began unbuttoning his pants until he was interrupted, "Wait! Keep the pants on, let me get a towel or something first!" She demanded. "You've already seen my naked body before, you reassembled me, duh." He mimicked her. "Yeah, but I just feel that it's so intimate and vulnerable to be naked." she mumbled. "That it is... very… intimate." His voice smooth as silk. Fenix spun around with an uncomfortable, whiny moan unable to stand the embarrassment she was experiencing as she retrieved a towel. He smiled, "Your innocence is absolutely adorable. Here… give me the towel since you are a little young, I suppose." He grinned as he extended his long arm. "Oh my God, Lore! Can you please just sit your ass down?" Fenix shoved the towel in his hand and abruptly turned around to let him finish undressing. He cheekily did as he was told and mused her hair as he sat down, "There, ya happy, kid?" Holding her breath, she turned around and let a sigh of relief to see him covered, "Okay, just sit still and pretty as a flower for me." she demanded. "Yes dear." he snickered. She started opening up his 'skin' coverings, her blush instantly disappearing, "Yeesh, I don't think I could ever get used to this, man." "Why is that? You seemed squeamish the last time when you fixed my emotion programming too, even if you didn't mention it, I could tell." He felt her small hands on him and stopped the urge to enjoy her touches as she answered, "Because you're my friend and not just another computer, or microwave or android, well... you're the first and only android but that's not the point." He enjoyed her fussing over him, for the first time it wasn't him serving humans, it was a nice change. It was always 'I need help with this... 'What the answer to this equation?' "I need you to move that over there...' It was all bullshit… Even though the colonists were envious of me, they just used me… But not you, Fenix. You never once did that. He succumbed to her soft small hands diligently working on him, he closed his eyes and candidly spoke, "I never thought I'd enjoy the company of an organic until you came along. Then again, you're different. I still dislike them, but I'm very fond of you." Lore declared. "I don't like most them either. Most are self-righteous, selfish and narrow-minded. They dirty the very planet they live on... parasites. They torture, rape and kill each other, they use people and everything they feel entitled to do as they please, the list goes on... I'm ashamed to be human but..." She sighed, "Not all organics are bad, Lore. I've met a few that are decent. Very few… You can't just lump everyone in one category. You have to judge people individually by their actions." Lore listened intently. I never thought of it that way… I always found it easier to dislike them all because… I didn't want to experience betrayal ever again. But, perhaps she is right. She is a prime example of an organic that is in her words 'decent'. An understatement through my eyes. Unfortunately, it's rather hard to switch my ways, even when you make sense. "Any ways, you're waterproof and floatable now." she couldn't hide the hurt that soaked her words. At this, Lore spun his chair to face her, his face serious, "You're better than them, not just surpassing physical capabilities but you have empathy, and try to make decisions based on a clear and uncorrupted conscience. You never once used me, instead you helped me without any gains on your part, you treat me as a person. Human or unknown, you're... beautiful." Lifting his hand, he very gently caressed her cheek, his own yellow eyes staring into her amethyst ones. Her own hand cupped his hand touching her cheek, she closed her eyes as she nuzzled into his palm and kissed his pulsing inner wrist, touched by his words. It was an innocent but also inadvertently sensual gesture for Lore, he didn't know what to do, so he slowly slid his hand out of hers. She innocently beamed at him unaware of her affects, "You're sweet, Lore. Thank you for opening up to me, that means a lot. But you should probably get dressed." He faintly flashed her a smile as she blushed and added, "But let's face it, humans in general still suck big time." Both chuckling to that. Fenix announced, "Let's go swimming! I can teach you." Lore smiled, "Sure, I want to try it out." He was curious in trying his new feature and she spent a good deal of time doing so after all.
The girl and the android were in the water, Fenix wore a black and white chequered bikini top and matching shorts that went to her knees, she was showing Lore the movements of swimming. He wore a pair of black shorts and mimicked her motions and learned quickly. "You're swimming, Lore! Wow, you're fast and really good, of course..." "Well, duh! I am an android, I learn quick." He loved mimicking her speech because it annoyed her. Unimpressed with his cockiness she dived deep beneath the emerald waters and swam towards Lore and grabbed his foot. She's fast. Her light body weight averaging around 115lbs combined with excessive strength gives a significant power of propulsion and her flexible form gives 80% added manoeuvrability. If that's how she wants to play, I'd be more than happy to oblige. She came up for air as Lore dived deep, she stayed afloat waiting and looking for him. Oh, that's right. He doesn't need the air like I do and he can see clearly, too. Boy, I'm at a real disadvantage… shit... Knowing him, he's planning on getting me back. I should know better than to start something I'm uncertain of finishing... But I'm such a sucker for punishment. She dived under using all her strength and swam with the fish. Lore was waiting for her at the bottom, and he followed her as a predator followed its prey. He had the advantage of seeing clearly underwater unlike her. She was unaware of him stalking her. Then, she felt arms around her middle, she yelped as she was thrown out of the water and splashed back in. She surfaced the water, her hair plastered over her face, she fumbled with it and heard Lore laughing full-heartedly at her. Grinning, she put both her hands on the top of his head and pushed him under the water, then he took her down with him. She wasn't prepared and used his leg, arms, and his body to gain momentum to get back above the water. They were playing cat and mouse in the lake for a few hours.
Fenix could feel fatigue seeping into her muscles, even with her inhuman stamina she couldn't keep up with an android that didn't require rest. Swimming to the shore Lore followed her. She dried herself off and laid down on her towel closing her eyes, still trying to catch her breath. Lore noticed wrinkles appeared on her fingers as he sat next to her. Lifting one of her hands to inspect, he noticed his own long fingers weren't wrinkled like hers. She sat up and let him touch her hand and fingers, feeling how there was more grip than before. "I see, wrinkling of your fingers makes it easier to grab objects when the hands are wet. If someone was drowning, they would reach for something to expel themselves out of the water, out of danger." Lore assessed. "I haven't thought about that since I was a kid, but that's what scientists said last time, unless that conclusion changed since… science is always changing." she commented and he put her hand back down. "You're right, it was nice to swim. I see the appeal of it." A dodged attempt at thanking her, but it was the first time he did. She was used to his behaviour, so she smiled and replied, "Glad you had some fun. I'm just gonna close my eyes for just a few minutes. Something about laying in the sun after a swim makes me sleepy." with that she laid back down. Her breathing lowered and drifted off to sleep. Lore visually traced her face, shoulders, arms and any part of her body that was exposed as he tried to understand what gives her the speed, strength and stamina that humans and most organics lacked. Nothing, I can't find anything that would give me a single clue. Her appearance is normal, no visual cues to give away her advantages. She blends in with humans, she IS human herself as far as we know... In theory she would be the perfect predator amongst them if she chose. With his final thought he went back to his usual processing of the world around him and let her get some rest. After fifteen minutes, he noticed how her hair began to dry, and the droplets on her skin were gone. His eyes darted to her youthful face and stared. Visually tracing her long lashes, and her partially open mouth, inhaling and exhaling. In that moment, he felt something strong, something he never felt. Pushing it deep down, he had to look away from her and watched the fish in the water, then to the top of the waterfall where they had climbed a little while ago. I thought she was going to die when she fell. Even without getting fixed, I felt something then, too. I was scared of losing her… scared of being alone… He shook his head. There's no need for me to worry of the past. She can keep regenerating if anything were to happen to her… perhaps she is even immortal? If that's the case… I'll never be alone ever again. Fenix was beginning to wake, but her eyes remained closed. Just a little longer in the sun, this is peaceful… I don't feel like I need to have my guard up around Lore any more. We're… friends. I… feel safe. For once, I didn't have a bad dream, I didn't dream at all… It was nice. Peace. I haven't felt this in so long. I guess being exiled here was a blessing in disguise. Who woulda thought, huh? Then again, I should understand by now that life is all ups and downs in constant motion. But that's why we can appreciate the good things when they come around, right? It's not always hard or bad… only if I focus on them then that's what will stand out. But if I focus on the good times, they stand out, too. Balance. Acceptance of the good and the bad times. Stretching out, she decided to wake up for good and sat up. Lore asked, "How are you feeling?" "Better. Actually, I'm feeling… good." she flashed him a smile. "Do you wanna head back, Lore?" He nodded, "Probably a good idea, I'm guessing you'll be getting hungry s-" Her stomach growled, cutting him off. He continued, "You're hungry so yes, we should get back. Unless you want to eat fish from the lake like a savage." She shook her head, "Tempting, but nah… I'll pass." The two made their way back to the facility, Fenix running faster than usual, fuelled by the thought of food the sooner they make it back.