This tickled my brain in a way I didn't think possible. I needed to write something.
When a military robot finishes a tour, they are given a choice. Be shut down and wait for reactivation for the next tour. Most robots accept shut down, they understand their role and carry it out to a fault. The other choice is to be transferred to a civilian chassis. To live in the society they fought to protect. In recent years, more and more robots have taken this choice.
I made the requested adjustments and then looked over to her. Artillery Unit 3113, or Elle as her squad mates called her, sat patiently.
"Ok, how's that?" I asked.
"Test. Test. Tango Echo Sienna Tango." Elle recited.
As she continued her vocal testing, I took note of her desired voice. It reminded me of a classmate in college. Deep, but with a soft ring to it. Before I could ask any follow-up questions, Elle unplugged from my tablet.
"This voice is satisfactory." She told me. "Thank you for your help."
"Of course," I assured, "if you need any more adjustments, just call."
After collecting my things, I made my way to the door. It was only a few steps before I felt a tug on my sleeve.
"While you're here, I could use help with something." Elle muttered.
I could just make out what Elle was saying. She kept looking away as she talked.
"Sure, what is it?" I asked.
Elle didn't let go of my sleeve. Instead, she pulled me towards the far side of the living room. Like all civilian bots, Elle was given a basic one bedroom apartment. Elle kept pulling and led me to her bedroom in the back. I'd be lying if I said a light blush didn't form on my face. Though inside her bedroom, I got a better idea of what she wanted. In Elle's bedroom stood a charging station. The lone obelisk nestled against a wall.
"Oh, is your station not working?" I asked. "Slow charge, no charge?"
"It's stuck." Elle explained.
"I wanted to move it to the other side, but the station won't budge." Elle explained further. "No matter what I do, the station won't move."
As an example, Elle approached the charging station. Planting her feet, the 5' 8" civilian robot pushed as hard as she could. I stifled a chuckle at the common sight. At least, common to me. Military robots are not unlike tanks they work beside. Large, imposing, and strong. So, when transferred to a civilian chassis, that amazing strength no longer exists. One of many restrictions set in place. I didn't want to outright embarrass Elle. So, as she struggled, I walked up to the other side of the charging station. With as little noise, I pull as hard as I can. Slowly, the station moved over to where Elle wanted.
"It appears I was wrong." Elle admitted. "I just needed to add more force into my push."
"Sure." I agreed. "I'll be going then."
As I tried to leave again, a crash stopped me this time. I spun around to see what happened. What I found was Elle, in a heap on the floor.
"It appears I have overtaxed my joints." She sighed.
"Don't worry, I can fix them before I go." I assured. "Let's just get you back to the living room first."
"If you grab my feet, I think you can dra--"
Before Elle could finish, I scooped her up in my arms. For ease of movement, civilian chassis are built with lightweight materials. As I walked back to the living room, I noticed Elle staring at me. Her eyes changed to a deep red.
"Is something the matter?" I ask. "Are your batteries low?"
"No." Elle pouted. "I just didn't think you'd be able to carry me like this."
"Oh, well, I've just gotten stronger carrying robots for maintenance."
Elle seemed to believe my lie as her eyes changed colors again. Now, back to a soft blue, I placed her on the living room couch. It didn't take much to recalibrate Elle's joints. Some needed to be replaced outright. As I worked, I could hear Elle's internal fans work harder. Her main processor working hard to accept her new reality. After a while, I noticed her staring again. Only this time, her eyes stayed the same.
"Is something the matter?" I asked.
"I..." she started, "I am weak now. Aren't I?"
"Y'know, you're the only robot I've helped to ask that."
"Yes, and no." I explain. "Physically, you are weak. A civilian chassis is made with certain restrictions."
"I see. So how am I also not weak?"
"You chose to live. To not always be a weapon and to experience life alongside the people you protected."
After saying all that, Elle went silent again. I went back to work as she pondered my explanation. I didn't mind. It was very common for military robots to take time to assimilate. Though I hoped that Elle would be one to try and stay. After I finished, I ran a quick diagnostic. With no problems, I gathered my things and tried to leave for the third time.
"Third time's the charm." I muttered.
Behind me, I could hear Elle getting up from the couch. Her joints whirring as she tested them. I was at the door when I heard her call out.
"Thank you." Elle said. "If I need more help, I can call you, right?"
"That's right." I assured. "I'll help with anything I can."
I felt a tugging on my arm. The motion woke me up from my sleep. I used my free hand to rub the drowsiness from my eyes. When my vision cleared, I found a sight I couldn't get enough of seeing. Elle intertwined her fingers in mine. She could never get enough of examining them. Especially now that we wore matching metal bands on the ring finger.
"Do you need help with something?" I teased.
Elle flinched at being caught. Her fans whirred harder in embarrassment. I loved how Elle's eyes flashed a deep pink.
"I- I-" she stuttered. "I finished charging in the middle of the night."
"So you couldn't wait to look at my hands?"
Elle dropped my hand at my question. She looked away as her fans worked even harder now.
"Aw, I'm sorry." I apologized with a kiss from behind. "After breakfast, would you like to look at my hands again? Maybe as we walk in the park?"
Elle turned back around. She moved over and pulled an arm around her. Elle grabbed a hand and started looking at it again.
"I- I'd like that." She squeaked.
dededos
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annaxmalina
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