Wiping sweat off his brow Dr. Aki Leaned down so his face was level with the newly adjusted optical sensors. He spoke slowly and deliberately. "Can...you...see...me?" A moment passed and then another. Letting out a sigh of annoyance He began to turn to grab another tool as the sound of a servo moving stopped him in his tracks. The robot turned its head slightly so its opticals could more easily focus on him. It was an unblinking stare. Aki held his breath, fearing a single movement might be disastrous. Another whine of it's servos was followed by a jerky nod, but a nod none the less. Jumping to his feet Dr. Aki shouted with all the excitment of a child, "Yes! It works! It actually works!"
The robotic head jerked backwards, a small spark fizzling as unshielded wires touched. "Sorry" he apologized, "I forgot you weren't ready for the volume of that yet. Let me just adjust a few more things, and then we'll be able to get started." Turning back to his work station Aki continued his adjustments, but couldn't help but smile and hum to himself. After several years of research and planning, his dream was finally starting to become a reality. "Just wait until I tell the Director about this," he thought, "He'll be overjoyed."
With a flick of a switch and a final test the diagnostic tools began running, checking systems, calibrating, and optimizing everything. With a quick scan, they would be ready for the first set of tests. "Ok," Aki said, turning around, "First test, motor functions. If you can, please, sit up." He watched, his heart racing, as the robot sat up. "Wonderful," he said, "Now for coordination, if you would, please stand up." Rising shakily to it's feet, the android began to take a step, but its knee buckled. Catching it as it fell, Aki helped guide the robot to the ground.
"Alright," he said, "Not great, but good for a first try. I'm sure with a little more practice and fine tuning we'll have you moving around like a natural in no time." Setting the android back on the floor, Aki returned to his workbench. His hands were shaking as he picked up the next diagnostic tool. This was beyond groundbreaking, while humanoid robots were nothing new, this was something else. No core programming...other than what was in that...hmmm...what to call it? A...medal...that will do. A Medal.
2 weeks later
As he approached the android, it began to stir again. "I think we're getting the hang of this," Aki said. "H...hang..?" The word was spoken haltingly, like a child just learning to talk. "You can speak!" Aki exclaimed, "Can you understand me?" Incredible! I haven't even calibrated to voice module yet...it did it on it's own. "Y..yes." "Excellent!" He shouted, "Now let's see if we can't get those servos tuned up. Ready for another test?" The robot nodded and once more stood up, this time with little following days were spent on testing the various motor functions. It started with simple things, walking, picking up objects, etc. Eventually they worked up to more complex movements, like throwing, running, and even sparring. That was where the trouble all started he thought back. For some reason the robot proved to be a very capable fighter, even on par with professionals.
As they were testing, the door to the lab swung open, and a tall man in a suit entered. He was followed by several security guards. "Dr. Aki!" he yelled, "How is the project coming along? You have been holed up in here for weeks now, I hope you have some results to show for all of that time..." He paused as he spotted the robot. "Now that's what I call progress! See! Told you a little pressure helps" "Yes, but it's too soon!" Aki protested, "We haven't done the final adjustments and it certainly hasn't been tested enough." "It looks pretty tested to me" the man responded.
"This is just the first prototype." Aki continued, "And it isn't even close to ready yet." "But I bet it can do all sorts of neat tricks, am I right?" The man said, smiling, "Yes," Aki admitted, "It can, but..." The man interrupted him again. "But nothing! Do a little demonstration for me, and we can have the team start work on mass production." Turning to the robot he said, "Ok, my friend, show me what you got." The robot stood there for a moment, as if trying to figure out what to do, it then motioned to the Director. "Fight" it said. "Oh," the man responded, "You want to spar, I guess it couldn't hurt. I haven't had a decent workout in a while."
As he began taking off his coat and rolling up his sleeves, showing off a surprising physique, the security guards pulled out their tasers. The Director motioned for them to stand down. "Don't worry about me, I can handle this." The Director stepped up to the robot, his arms raised, palms out. He began to circle it. "Let's start slow, ok? We don't want anyone getting hurt." The robot remained motionless. "A little help, Aki?" The director asked. "Robot, I'd like you to start with a straight punch" The robot's arm shot out, striking the director square in the nose, causing him to stagger backwards. "Ouch!" the director cried, "A little more control, next time. How about a kick." The robot's leg kicked up, landing directly into the Director's chest.
The force sent the director flying across the room and crashing into a large piece of equipment. He laid there a moment, gasping for air, before climbing to his feet. He brushed the dust from his shirt and tie and, holding his bloody nose, limped over to the robot. "I'm sorry, Director" Aki pleaded, "It's not your fault," The Director responded. Giving a rather feral grin the Director looked back to the robot he asked, "Are you done yet?""No" the robot flatly responded. "Me either." the director replied. With the speed and grace of a seasoned fighter, he landed blow after blow on the robot, but the robot held its ground. They traded blow after blow. Eventually, the robot landed a kick that sent the director reeling backwards. "Good," the Director said, panting, "You've still got some fight left.
They continued for another few minutes, and the director finally called it off. Both were breathing heavily, and covered in sweat. The director gave a weak laugh and said, "Well, I'm going to go and lie down for a bit. Good job, Doctor. Keep it up. As he was leaving the lab, he looked back to the android and said, "Oh, and robot? Your going to make us so much money." The robot just stood there, motionless.