Middle of the road?

“Default PAC 3 sounds good, I don’t want it to be crazy-easy all the time.” It reminds you a little bit of those Japanese visual novel games, setting yourself up for a challenge. After all, you’re not looking to just have a fuck toy, right? You want to figure out everything you can about this thing before you decide what to do with it. “But that can be changed?”

“If you have had a long day, Bradbury, there is no shame is asking me to default to PAC 1. I exist to make your life easier and more enjoyable.” Her expression changes a little at that. She seems amused, though not mocking, a thin half-smile slipping over her mouth. “This concludes boot-up settings.”

“Really? That was easy. Is the name hardwired?” You had guessed from the clearly Japanese design of her features that it was a holdover from her last user.

“For simplicity’s sake and according to Android Compliance standards, this unit’s passive name will remain set to Mariah for ease of identification and simplicity in correcting prototype errors. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, though you may alter default names of PA’s when engaging with them.” GalTech isn’t strictly Japanese, so it might just be her model, but it still seems a strange choice. Most other romance androids you’ve seen tend to have pretty boilerplate names suggested by their aesthetics, sometimes even to a cartoonishly racist degree. Of course, most romance androids don’t HAVE a default name, from your understanding. But she is still an experimental product.

“Okay, Mariah,” you say, more to yourself than to her, feeling the name out. It’s a pretty name, at least. You could be stuck with a lot worse when addressing her. With the damage she sustained, you should probably just be glad it didn’t get set into unintelligible binary screeching. “Are there any other critical processes we should go through?”

“That is all that’s required for basic settings, Bradbury,” she explains, smile relaxing to a small curve rather than the energetic, enthusiastic expression she maintained for most of that process. “Though I do have additional settings, should you wish me to manage a calendar for you or activate my intruder alarm procedures. While I am not capable of combating a human intruder, I am able to contact law enforcement and resist capture if you would desire.”

“Resist capture, yes. Call the cops, no. I really don’t like dealing with the law.” Shit, should you have said that? What if she’s broadcasting back to GalTech or doing any other Big Brother nonsense? You haven’t heard of that from romance models since the scandals shortly after their implementation, but the thought won’t leave your head.

“Perfectly understandable, Bradbury. Discretion is paramount,” she accepts without any further argument or suggestion. “Would you care to set up a calendar at this moment?”

“No thank you, Mariah,” you wave off. Not that it doesn’t sound convenient, but you don’t even know how long you’ll have her. Seems silly to give her your phone’s job right away, if at all.

“Of course, Bradbury,” she agrees with a small nod. “I do recommend a diagnostic test before powering me down or leaving me idle. It is best to ensure my self-repair protocols have the maximum amount of time to amend any damages to my functionality. Would you care to initiate my diagnostic?”

“Yeah, yeah, that makes sense,” you mutter as you move back to your computer, checking all the programs running to regulate her power without a battery. A battery is a must. The Chimera is basically impossible to weaponize, but it’s still a fusion battery. You’re not going to find that in a landfill. Not fast enough, anyway. “Okay, I have your specs up, everything seems to be in working order besides the damage to your arms and legs … is there anything I should be doing?”

“You misunderstand the nature of my model’s diagnostic procedure,” she responds, small smile sharpening wickedly a little. “My diagnostic is of my intended function. I am asking if you would care to fuck me at this time, Bradbury.”

“Oh. OH! Don’t I need to set up a PA or something?” Also, you probably shouldn’t. This is a product, this isn’t something you’re hanging on to.

“PA’s interfere with diagnostic readings. I would remain in my default, though not neutral state. It is not required, Bradbury. You are my owner and user. It is only my recommendation to assure proper functionality.” She pauses, then adds. “That, and my sensors detect you seem very tense. I believe it would also be quite beneficial for you. Do you agree?”