Page 9 of Asmodel
“Hello,” he addressed the bot.
JR10 and JR11 backed away but kept a sharp eye on him.
No doubt they’d spring into action if he somehow hurt the little guy. “My name is Asmodel. What may I call you?”
The bot's rounded head tilted. “I am called JR13.” It scuttled closer to him. Its multifaceted eyes had a rainbow sheen as he studied him with an up-and-down glance. “You aren’t human, are you?”
“JR13!” JR11 scurried to the little bot.
It was then Asmodel noticed the similarities in their design, compact while elegant.
“That came out rude! You must filter what you say before you say it.”
Damn. He never thought he’d witness one robot berate another like that. Like a… mother. Since he had never had a mother, it wasn’t something he was familiar with.
“That’s okay, I’m not offended,” he assured JR11. Far from it. He liked clear speech. It made translating another's intention easier. Especially since he couldn’t psychically connect with the droid. “You’re right, JR13. I’m not human.” He shrugged. “I’m a mix of unknown alien and human DNA.”
“Fascinating,” the bot stated. “You resemble a Native American human, but my database doesn’t include your specific alien genome.” JR13 tilted its head the other way and trotted close to him. “I must analyze you.”
JR10 intercepted the small bot by standing in front of his “son”. “You will not!” He crossed his thin front forelegs as any father would when chastising his child.
JR13 lifted a spindly foreleg in Asmodel’s direction. “But I must examine this male on a higher level to determine if this organic creature and I are compatible. And there is only one way for me to do that properly.”
Asmodel grinned. “And what is the proper way to do that?”
“I assure you, it’s barely invasive for someone as massively built as you.” The bot turned to JR10. “Father, if you will allow me…”
Wanting to defuse the situation, Asmodel nodded to JR10. “I don’t mind. Let him do whatever he wants.”And then I’ll give you something your inquisitive circuits couldn’t dream up to mull over.
“Okay, it’s your dog-and-pony show.” JR10 scuttled back to JR11.
Hard to tell if JR10 was talking to him or to JR13.
JR13 approached until he was so close, Asmodel’s eyes crossed.
Asmodel’s right cheek stung before he could respond. He cupped the soft pain on his face. Damn bot took his blood.
“Thank you, organic man. I am now analyzing.” JR13 shuffled back. “Done.” Then, its multifaceted eyes widened. “Fascinating. You are correct in saying your human genome is a minute part of your makeup.” The bot tilted his head as if confused. “But I believe your appearance can be deceptive. Why do you choose to look like that?”
“Oh?” Asmodel straightened and stood. “Would you rather I look like this?” With minimal effort, he changed his appearance to look like a Zerin—complete with iridescent dark skin, dual-colored green irises, and three fingers on each hand. He even changed his clothes to match that of a typical member of the spaceshipStarChancein aone-piece, formfitting suit.
“How about this?” Now he resembled an Akurn noble. Pale, alabaster skin, blinding-white shoulder-length hair, and flowing robes of cream and gold. He changed his eyes to a dazzling turquoise.
Not waiting for an answer, he changed once again. “I kinda like this one.”
Now he stood as a citizen of the destroyed planet of Peinuewei. Complete with dark-eggplant-color skin, curling black horns that resembled a ram’s, and skintight, thigh-length speedos in a blinding neon orange. He widened his blood-red eyes with their horizontal black pupils. Just so they weren’t missed.
“Like any of these better?” Asmodel smirked. He swore he stunned the little guy as he turned back to himself.
JR13 nodded, eager as if presented with something he couldn’t wait to get close to. “Yes, I mean, no. Your current appearance is the most tolerable. I agree to be your companion.”
Asmodel held out his hand on the table to allow the small robot to climb on. “Well, come on, then.” He grinned. “I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”
Izzy couldn’t believe how her life had turned into a cliché. Getting kidnapped by aliens and all.
It all started when she and the other humans aboard theStarChancewere about to enjoy what was called a “repose interval”.
Which was alien-speak for a day off.