Relic from the seas

By

Dr Facer

-8-

Splash Woman crossed her arms defensively and stared at Viktor Cossack with what was clear suspicion. She refused to move and instead turned to face X, who was standing by her side. She sent him a transmission in binary and waited for him to relay the message.

"What is going on?" the scientist asked with a good-humored smile. He was quite surprised by the current development: Splash Woman, a robot, had just disobeyed a direct order from him, a human! That was not supposed to be possible and it was one of the most exciting things he had ever witnessed in his life. His mind was racing over the possible causes, eager to learn the correct answer.

"She says you didn't mention any changes to her OS or her ports," X explained, also a little amazed that Splash Woman had managed to refuse a command made by a human being. "I'm sorry, Doctor Cossack, but she says she won't let you put her on stasis if you're doing any changes that could affect what makes her who she is."

Nina, who stood behind Viktor, was as amazed as X and her husband were, but while the two men were seeing this in a positive light, she was instead terrified. Robot Masters were not supposed to do this. They simply weren't! If Splash Woman had reached this point where she could break the Three Laws of robotics, then what was left separating her from reploids that were clearly superior? Did this mean Splash Woman had already developed free will?

"She shouldn't be able to do that," Nina said as she took a step back and clutched her data pad against her chest, hoping her husband couldn't see how worried she felt. "Splash Woman is surely malfunctioning, should we shut her down to see what the problem is and then fix her?"

The Robot Master placed both hands on her hips and leaned forward, sending a loud binary message aimed at the blonde reploid hiding behind Viktor Cossack.

"I can't understand that horrible static you sent my way," Nina answered with a frown, feeling very upset by the female robot's apparently aggressive response.

"She says she's in perfect working order," X translated. "She… ah… I guess I don't need to tell you the rest?"

"Did she insult me?" Nina asked, trying now to remain calm and not raise her voice.

"What? No, of course she didn't!" the blue armored hunter rushed to say, hoping to placate Viktor's wife. "Splash Woman simply mentioned it was rude of you to say she needs to be shut down and repaired."

"She's acting strange!" Nina countered. "Robot Masters shouldn't be able to disobey orders like that!"

"That may be true, but it's something we can look into later," Viktor cut in. "What matters now is installing her new voicebox, I'm sure she will have an easier time explaining her reasons for acting this way once she can speak again."

"I agree," X said, quite relieved for Viktor's intervention.

"But…" Nina started then she stopped when her husband placed his hand over hers.

"We shouldn't be upset by her conduct," he said. "Instead, we should be amazed at her ability to do something so remarkable for a Robot Master."

Nina understood she had no other choice but to let her husband do as he proposed. That, however, didn't mean she had changed her mind, or that she would stop observing and making notes on Splash Woman's suspicious behavior.

"Very well, then," she yielded. "Let's do that. I might as well help you install the voicebox."

At that point, Splash Woman made another transmission.

"What did she say now?" Nina asked, rubbing her temples and feeling frustrated she couldn't decode binary.

"She apologizes for any trouble she may have caused," X provided. "She also says she will agree to have an OS update and the new ports, but only if she can design the OS update as well as the procedure to install the ports, since she thinks she knows her own body better than anyone."

"That's reasonable," Viktor said. "I'll provide her with the necessary information, anything else?"

"She requests that I am present during all procedures involving her, she thinks that if I'm present that I'll make sure nothing happens to her."

"We would never do anything that could put her in danger," Nina said before her husband could reply. "But if she feels safer that way then I don't see why not."

"Well, if it's all agreed, let's install that voicebox," Viktor said with a confident smile. "I'm sure Splash Woman will be pleased with the results of my work."

Notes:

Thanks to Adam for beta reading this chapter.