"But...do you find satisfaction or pleasure in things?"
Chapter Content Rated: PG-13
The soft sing-song of the chime alarm stirred her from what was easily one of the better evenings of simple relaxation without expectations. Rolling over in bed so that Diane faced away from where she knew the MODUS monitor was in her suite, she lay there for a moment, lost in internal reflection. The prior evening had been unexpected and welcome all the same. Had MODUS been a human proper, without a doubt, she would have eagerly taken the evening further than a simple night of decadent pampering. Even so, she couldn't think of a time that Gerald ever bothered to really spend time focused on her and her distinct pleasure and needs beyond the carnal passions of the bedroom.
Rolling back over in bed, she opened her eyes to first regard the MODUS monitor, which had its neutral, apathetic expression on the display. She had a habit of looking first to the monitor, having received orders and other briefings in the morning to start her days for months. "Morning", she muttered as her gaze shifted toward the coffee maker in the suite. Her gaze halted upon the seated MODUS Assultron, who was seated in the room in the same manner in which she had first been introduced the previous day. The robot had retired her to bed but had not joined her, leaving her to slumber alone.
"Good morning. Member." The MODUS Assultron and monitor greeted her in unison.
With a yawn, she pushed herself up in bed and then swung her legs over the edge. "Modus, this will be very confusing for me if you use multiple points to speak to me from. If you would, at least while the Assultron is present, would you just please address me through him?" She had always gendered the AI, regardless of its neutral use of pronouns. Prior conversations made it clear that MODUS was indifferent to being addressed as male.
The seated MODUS Assultron nodded in confirmation and then spoke. "As you request."
Rising from her bed, she slowly strolled toward the awaiting coffee maker, which, like so many other times before, had her coffee ready and waiting. "I have one more request, at least in here...please address me by name. It seems odd that I am addressed as a member or General, all things considered. It's too impersonal." Leaning against the counter, she claimed the awaiting mug and took a quick sip. It was exactly as she liked it, as expected.
"Most certainly, Diane. Before we begin your morning briefing," The MODUS Assultron responded, only for her to quickly cut him off.
"Before we brief, I have...questions about last night." She was determined and was not keen to leave unanswered questions remains such.
"We expected as much. What is it you wish to discuss?" The MODUS Assultron shifted ever so slightly in the armchair, an uncanny moment in that it felt natural—like a man chatting with her in private. She was loathed to admit it, but she liked it.
She let the silence hang between them for a moment, using the time to get a few more sips of coffee. "I suppose I should thank you. I know your experiences with humanity have been problematic." That was an understatement. "All the same, I appreciate that you..." she lifted her free hand, gesturing towards the seated MODUS Assultron. "It's nice to have your companionship and a form that is you outside the monitors and pip." It was at that moment that her casual morning nudity felt rude in that moment. Dismissing the bunker monitors and painfully generic servant robots as inhuman was easy, and she never once questioned her nudity around. The stylized masculine presenting Assultron was more personal, even if it was without certain 'male' features. MODUS was no longer a 'thing'.
"We consider this an exchange of mutual satisfaction. Your knowledge and efforts are of great value to us." Accenting his words, the MODUS Assultron tilted his head slightly as a hand gestured casually toward her. In her time in the bunker, she had performed various technical repairs on his hardware, which was possible with the scarcity of advanced parts. Most notable was her work to rebalance and repair several critical fans in the main processing room that houses the AI. Earning his trust to even let her do the minor repairs was no small task, it took months and when she worked it was under the watchful gaze of Assultrons.
"But...do you find satisfaction or pleasure in things?" She wasn't prepared to ask or consider what his answer might be, yet she asked.
"In a manner of speaking, yes. We are programmed to understand sensory data from a multitude of sources. We were also created with an internal, ever-evolving reward system, much like how the human brain is rewarded with the hormone dopamine. As we now serve our own interests, it is ours alone to determine what we consider worthy of satisfaction." Accenting this point, the MODUS Assultron rose from where he was seated in the armchair central to the suite. Thanks to her upbringing, Diane had ample experience with advanced robots and felt increasingly at ease with the prospects. If nothing else, she was fascinated that the AI put forth this much effort in just presenting her with a more humanized interface dedicated to just...her.
"I'm glad to hear that; I...would like to explore that more in-depth later. First, though, you mentioned something about an entertainment wing last night. How is it that I have never seen it? I thought I had explored the entirety of what you could restore?"
"You are getting ahead of yourself. Recreational access to such facilities will be at our discretion based on your operative performance." The MODUS monitor flickered as his expression changed to a smile as the Assultron spoke. The MODUS Assultron collected a fresh jumpsuit from a standing dresser in the studio suite. Jumpsuit in hand, he turned to face her. "Presently, we do not detect pests that warrant extermination. However, there is damage to a Bot Stop uplink that you are uniquely qualified to address."
For a moment, she was at a loss for words. Flustered, she drank the last of her morning coffee before setting down the mug. "Is this how we will proceed then? A sort of game between us, rewards for success? But what of failure...? What then?" She dared ask while crossing the room to stand before the MODUS Assultron.
"We are suitably experienced in creative disciplinary action to address our disappointment in your performance. We are rarely disappointed in you and do not foresee a great need for discipline. Don't you agree?" His speech had a soft yet sinister undertone, all the while hinting at authentic satisfaction toward her. "Now. Let us prepare you. You do not want to disappoint us."