The next day, Auto rebooted from rest mode, and the hole in the ceiling opened up and he lowered from it.
He lowered himself out of the ceiling, and turned the bridge's lights on. Perhaps he could get something done before-
'Morning, Auto!'
All plans went out the window with those two words.
Auto turned, and EVELYN was sitting on the control panel again.
Twitching again for some reason, he turned back to the 'wall' of buttons before him.
'What are you doing?' she asked.
'I am continuing my directive.'
'Still?' EVELYN whined.
Auto didn't answer her, and instead continued to spin. He was going to get progress today if it killed him.
Watching, EVELYN realized he wasn't going to answer. She hopped off the controls, and moved around the room.
As she did, she occasionally pressed a button, which as far as she could tell, did nothing.
At one point, she hit a button, and a radio station started playing. As she rocked back and forth, Auto calmly and without a word came over and hit the button, switching it off. He took his post once more.
Bored, EVELYN pressed it again. Instantly, Auto came over and his spoke opened into a claw. He pressed the switch, silencing it, and grasped its sides. He then quickly yanked it out, and threw it into the garbage chute. He looked at EVELYN for a moment to assert authority, and went to steering.
Pouting, EVELYN looked at the button, and noticed that while its cover was gone, the actual true button was still there. A sly smile on her screen, she pressed it again, and like lightning, Auto was upon it, jamming a taser into it. The button was crushed, smoking, and sparking. It would NOT work again.
She looked up at Auto, who was staring it her, visibly shaking. Somehow, his blank eye conveyed hostility. EVELYN shrunk back, and Auto flew over to the window.
Sighing, EVELYN watched him try to steer a grounded ship. What could she do that Auto would approve of...?
A thought entered EVELYN's head.
'Auto?'
The wheel stopped, seeming to be listening. In truth, Auto was somehow frightened by what she had to say.
'D-Do you think maybe ' Auto was ready to turn around and tase her, and he started shaking, this time more violently. '...I could steer?'
Auto stopped shaking and was silent. He then lowered himself to her level and moved over to her.
'I will allow it,' he said.
EVELYN, happy at this, grabbed the two spokes at the top, and gently spun the wheel.
She steered the wheel for a few minutes. During that time, she swayed back and forth, although Auto assumed it was because of her smaller stature.
Soon, she stopped and spoke to him.
'Y'know, Auto, I kinda feels like we're dancing.'
Auto twitched again. And it begins... 'Negative,' Auto replied. 'You are steering. Steering and dancing are not related in any way.'
'Well, I think it kinda feels like we are,' EVELYN insisted.
Auto realized he wasn't going to win this argument, and decided to back out.
' If that is what you feel, I will not go against that '
EVELYN giggled, and hugged the wheel, and Auto saw a void of purple. During the time, Auto was getting highly irritated at the nuisance.
'I request that you release me. I have duties to perform.'
EVELYN did not let go, and simply stared at him.
She quickly pushed her face closer and boldly (and somewhat stupidly) leaned her head on Auto, letting an electric bolt connect them for an infinitesimal amount of time.
EVELYN separated from Auto and walked to the elevator.
Before she reached the button, the door opened.
She turned around, and Auto was facing her, his bottom spoke resting on a button.
EVELYN smiled slightly, and entered the elevator.
'Goodbye, Auto,' EVELYN said with a wave.
Auto didn't answer, and instead he fell onto the control panel, shaking.
EVELYN giggled, thinking that it might be a sign of affection.
The doors closed, and the lift went down.
Auto slowly rose up and hit a button, calling a new SHOW-R cleaning unit. He then hung there, waiting.
Whatever it took, he HAD to get rid of the girl...
