Work Text:
Are you alright?
Yeah, I’d known it was coming. There was no way it wasn't coming.
Yes
I could tell she didn’t believe me. I’d known then, and I still knew now. But in the moment, she had let it slide, and instead had invited me to the Musical Theater opening in Makeba Hall that Ratthi had gotten tickets to.
It was a good show. Typical musical theater camp, predictable ending, and it actually had been enjoyable.
Mensah had hated it, and yet she had seemed to enjoy the evening, so I guess she had been truthful about watching others enjoy the performance.
She’d let the conversation go at the time. And I knew it was going to come back around eventually.
Apparently “Eventually” was now.
It's been a few cycles since the whole Balin-the-CombatBot-killed-the-human thing.
Hey, are you alright?
Yes. Okay, I was lying just as much now as I had the first time.
This time Mensah didn't seem to accept that as an end to the conversation.
And yet, you have been stewing about something for three cycles.
I had, but I wasn't about to admit to that. I stew about things a lot. Especially if I think something might hurt my humans. And the whole Balin thing had been up there.
If that could happen to one Corporation Rim bot, what's to stop it from happening again?
It would be easier on everyone if you don't bother denying it. She continued, then moved to the couch and sat next to me. And she changed her question. Normally, humans would have these conversations verbally, but she stayed in the feed.
Yeah, that was for my benefit, so I was definitely doomed. She would not be letting this go.
What's wrong?
I didn't answer at first, but she waited me out.
I think we should cancel the documentary, and I should leave.
I expected more of a reaction to that. Her response was decidedly minimal. And this time I actually managed to wait her out.
Is this about the Port Authority bot?
No, it's about Corporation Rim bots.
Mensah was quiet for a long time. I though she was going to let it go. Or maybe that was wishful thinking. She did finally prompt me.
I am pretty sure we only had one of those.
There's one more.
Okay, technically I am not a standard bot. I'm a construct. It's not the same. I frequently fall into the same category though.
SecUnit...
I hate that tone, and the face I can see her making with my drones. I wanted to to face the wall. I didn't though. I could do this.
You don't know what sort of secondary functions I might have.
Even I didn't necessarily know if there were some deep command code hidden secondary functions I might have. Even Gurathin couldn't dig that far into my code. I wondered briefly if something like ART could have done it. Probably. ART did a lot of stuff bots weren't supposed to be able to do.
No, I suppose I don't.
Even I saw the 'but' coming, and I didn't want to hear it. I interrupted it.
And some of the ones you know I have, you ignore. My humans pretty routinely ignored my data mining functions. Mensah had actually given me drones which actively assist that function. Though I did keep their data to myself now. I didn’t send it to the company anymore. I didn’t have to. Also, fuck the the company. My humans were even pretty good at ignoring the whole guns in my arms thing.
It didn't stop the "but."
But I have seen you shoot yourself rather than let an unwelcome function take you over. Mensah spoke calmly. Like it was obvious that it would never be a problem.
I don't have a sufficiently high powered projectile weapon on Preservation to do that again. Senior Indah frowns on that.
Mensah chuckled at that one.
I suppose that's true, but I also trust that you would find a way.
I frowned at that. She was probably right. I didn't like that answer though. I had barely managed it last time. I was still just sitting there being frustrated when she spoke again.
And I would bet it's harder to get into your systems and send a code like that than it was to get into a Port Authority bot.
Balin was a Combat Bot.
Mensah blinked. I knew she had read my report, but apparently I downplayed that bit more than I should have...
Like the Palisade one?
No, that was a Combat SecUnit. They have human neural tissue like I do, and more ability to make decisions. Combat bots are more limited in their responses to changed circumstances. That's why Balin shut down instead of fighting its way out.
She considered that information, then nodded. Then she half glanced toward me briefly before looking forward again. There was slight... maybe amusement? That wasn't right. Something.
You didn't answer my question.
Ah... she caught that. Oh course she did.
Yes. It is much harder to get into my system than a Combat Bot. I monitor and upgrade my system as I see fit.
To the point where even the Combat SecUnit and the Company gunship couldn't get through?
Ye—
Okay... she got me.
I guess so... I finally admitted.
And the Preservation Bots, including yourself stood up to the intruder.
I frowned at the floor. That had been true. I had been absolutely shocked when JollyBaby's (that's still a terrible name.) scoop dropped in front of me and protected me from Balin for just a moment.
Then they'd all been there. Every station bot that had been In the vicinity! But those were Preservation bots.
They weren't Corporation Rim bots. None of them are from the Rim. There's a difference. Preservation would be a lot safer if it didn't allow Corporation Rim bots in.
Mensah sighed. She frowned at the floor for a moment. She sometimes takes her time with words.
SecUnit, that may be true, but sometimes we have to take risks to do what is right. Preservation is a planet that was populated and terraformed by people seeking refuge. Denying refuge to others means throwing away our heritage, our humanity and who we are as a people. We welcome refugees, and give them a place where they are safe.
Even when they pose a risk to you?
To say I didn't think it was worth it was an understatement.
Even when they pose a risk to us. Because most of them are like you and Gurathin. Like the refugees on the transport. Good people trying to escape hardship.
Gurathin and I are both substantial risks.
She waved off that concern. Just waved it off, like it was nothing! Like the idea of one of us threatening Preservation was ridiculous. I knew she trusted both of us, but I guess I hadn't really realized how much. My insides felt melty. Just a little, but I didn't have time to have an emotion about this right now.
I tried another tactic.
One of those refugees shot me.
Yes, and in the Corporation Rim, they would have been charged a fee for that. Are you filing charges against them?
I didn't say anything for a long moment. I was frustrated! Why was this such a frustrating situation?
Stupid question. Dr. Mensah knew the answer, she just wanted me to think about it.
No.
Why not?
Because they were just scared humans and they didn't really hurt me. It was just annoying.
Dr. Mensah made a light humming sound. I was pretty sure my argument was sunk. She was good at this.
There's more than that. She commented gently.
They just thought the typical Corporation Rim SecUnits-just-want-to-kill-everything bullshit.
She smiled sadly. Then she waited patiently for me to think a bit more.
It was probably why she was one of the planetary leaders.
They believed what they'd been told their whole lives, regardless of whether or not it's true.
Just like most Corporate refugees when they arrive. They are scared, and need help to learn our ways. And they might cause a little harm along the way because they are scared or don't understand, but in time they almost always become loyal and helpful citizens. Like Gurathin. Like you.
I considered that. I had been scared of coming here. That was part of why I ran away. Not all, not even close, but… part.
I still don't want Corporates to come here where they can hurt you, though I know most are okay, I guess. Welcoming refugees makes it harder to find the bad ones.
She smiled.
I know. I'm worried about that too. But that's why we help each other. Like the bots all helped you the other day. That's Preservation, SecUnit. We have to do the right thing. Even when it's hard or scary.
I considered that. Mensah gave me the space to do so. She stood and went back to some of the work on her desk. And I considered the problem before me.
I wasn't used to having others actually help. It was nice. It was hard for me to understand, but she understood Preservation, even if I still found it weird.
I had been shocked when all those bots turned up to help, even though they had no combat experience or skills. They has stepped up just like the ComfortUnits at Ganaka Pit had...
Maybe that sort of concern for others isn't as rare as my experience suggested it was. Maybe there was something to be said for the Preservation way. It was fairly safe here. Until recently. Hopefully soon it could be again. Until then, I suppose I would just have to keep doing my job and keep Dr. Mensah safe.