New story set in a future where androids are part of everyday life. They are stories located in the same universe, some characters can appear in several stories.
The tranquility of the cabin located in the limits of the city, would be interrupted by the surprising arrival of the transport vehicle driven by Patrick Allen. He extended one arm, signaling to the security cameras installed at the entrance of the cottage. In that place, lived Leila Allen, the cousin, a young expert in computer security, currently dedicated to doing jobs for anyone who had money to pay the fee.
She was working on a personal project. For the last year, she dedicated herself to creating an artificial memory of herself. All thoughts, feelings, knowledge and memories. Now, she was in the testing phase. But she felt she was stuck, something else was needed. And Patrick's arrival brought what was missing.
They were both impressed when they took the android out and looked at it in detail. It was a female robot, with a beautiful face. The most advanced model created by the Occinox Corporation. It was a perfect human replica.
Leila had doubts, it was very dangerous to have the android, the company and the government were looking for it everywhere. Plus, the anti-robot terrorist group, they'd be looking for Patrick too. I need you to keep it hidden for a while! You can study it and use it, while I get a buyer! , with those words Patrick managed to convince her. He left in the vehicle and promised not to take more than two weeks. We'll be rich!
The system was hard to penetrate. The android had implemented several layers of security. But Leila was one of the best.Checked carefully to see if there was any tracking mechanism. She activated the robot, worked normally, carried out pre-programmed commands, like everyone else, the only new thing was the human aspect. You're special! I'll make you special! She decided to test the personal project with the android, installing the artificial intelligence program she had designed.
The result was amazing from day one. The robot looked like a child, discovering a new world. Leila was pleased. It was a replica of herself, her whole mind, now shared by the robot too, but from that moment on, the android could make his own decisions.
A week later, they had developed a friendship, they knew every detail about each other. They knew all the secrets and shared the same experiences. It was important to go to the next phase. He changed the robot's hair color, dressed her in inconspicuous clothes, put on some sunglasses and went to town.
They arrived at the mall. Leila wanted to see how the android behaved in an open environment, surrounded by other people. It was a big risk, but the spirit of research was stronger than common sense.
Everything seemed normal, they were two girl friends walking in the mall. The robot was so perfect that no one noticed it was an android. There were other robots, walking around with the owners. Men and women with replicants as partners. Families with the robot as helpers. One of the robots bumped into the two girls. The two androids just stared at each other. What are you doing? We have to keep walking! They continued on their way, the family that owned the service robot looked at them strangely.
They sat down in the food court. The android was crying. Those people are mean to her!, she told Leila. The new model had a reader installed in its eyes, where it could scan the memory of the other robots. When she stumbled upon the other android, she read the memory and saw all the abuse she was getting. Suddenly, all the robots around her were turning their faces to look at her. She was reading everyone's memories. The data entered her mind quickly, her hands were shaking, she seemed to be suffering, she hit the table and asked for the visions to stop.
Leila was worried, the robot's behavior was drawing attention. We must go! They got up from the table, but two security guards approached, asked if they needed help. Everything is fine sir, she has a headache, I will take her to the doctor!
The security guard insisted, he grabbed the robot by the arm, but the android reacted violently. The man took a blow that took his breath away. The other guard grabbed Leila, which made the android angrier. Leila was his mother, he wouldn't let anyone hurt him. He grabbed the gun from the guard she hit. People saw what was happening, and they panicked. The alarms went off in the mall. The robot didn't hesitate to shoot the guard's head off.
The two girls mingled with the terrified crowd. Leila was just thinking about how they would escape from that place. It was a mistake to take the robot into town. It's the end! The security cameras have our faces on tape! ... it's best to turn ourselves in...
The robot stopped and said No. They wouldn't give themselves up. She would make them escape. The device installed in the eyes could signal the other robots. It was transmitting orders to all the androids inside the mall. That way, the robot that was inside the security booth, destroyed the hard drive with the recordings, others started to attack the owners, creating a chaos, leaving them free to escape from the place.
The police were alerted to an armed attack and within minutes the perimeter of the mall was in order. But the two girls had already escaped, apparently without any trace of them.
-What the hell was that all about? How did you manage that?
-I don't know... -I just know I could.. And I did.. explain to me, you own me. Am I like the others? Am I a toy? They use us for whatever, they humiliate us, they abuse us and we just follow orders.. Who am I?
-Oh my God! Baby, you're special, you're a gift to the world, you belong to no one, you're free, because you, you're me, you're Leila!
