Questions

Thomas watched Alisha for several moments, considering what he'd just done, and what had happened to her. He reached out, touching the black collar around her neck, then let his hand trail over her breast, stroking her nipple. She did not move or otherwise react to his touch. Finally, he broke the silence. "You are a queen drone?"

She blinked, and responded. Her voice was flat and emotionless. "Yes, however, this drone is incomplete, master. This drone must be encased to achieve full functionality. At present, this drone has only rudimentary functionality."

Thomas narrowed his eyes. "List your rudimentary functions, please?"

Alisha blinked again, and said, in that same flat voice. "Automaton obedience. Basic understanding of drone functions. Basic speech and mobility. Access to human motor skills and other physiological processes. Limited access to human memories and knowledge."

He nodded. "And what is full functionality, in terms of functions?"

Another blink, another answer. "This drone is incomplete, master. A list of full functions is only available after this drone has been encased."

His conscience waved a hand from the back of his mind, and he asked the question it brought up. "Could I release you from this drone state?"

Blink. "This drone could be released by pressing the collar's release--the silver button connected to this drone's spine at the back of this drone's neck."

He walked behind her, and sure enough, there was the button on the back of the collar, right over her spine.