Mail Order Android

The water felt nice running over her skin, relaxing her muscles as they had grown tight with stress. It was definitely a relief to have her IBIS unit finally arrive as she wouldn't have to look around every corner, or search her home every night for lurking shadows before bed. Maybe she would begin to feel safe again, and not like prey waiting to be hunted down and captured.

Millie was so deep in thinking that the knock startled her, and it took her a moment to remember that it was only Tarek. Allowing several seconds for her heart to calm, she peeked her head out from behind the shower curtain. "Uh... sure? Just hang it on the inside of the door..." It was by that time that the water had begun to lose some of its warmth, and she knew she'd have to get out soon or risk sitting under cold water.

"Of course, he replied, stepping into the bathroom and carefully draping the garment over a hook attached to the inside of the door. Condensation had covered the mirror and clouded the room. Tarek did not leave right away, but stood and observed, the shower itself to the side of his vision. For a few moments he wanted to know what heat really felt like, beyond the data that had been fed to him along with the rest of his operating software. While he could not experience an emotional or spiritual connection, it was certainly different that simply being told what 'heat' felt like.

The water turned off and Tarek was back to normal operating parameters again. Silently he stepped out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He retreated back to the kitchen where he put the finishing touches on dinner. He found some wine in a cooler next to the fridge and poured her a glass, remembering what it felt like to be surrounded by warmth.

Turning off the water, Millie stepped out and wrapped herself in her robe, the warmth comforting her. She stood there for a moment and let the heat seep into her and she couldn't help how content it made her feel. Wrapping her hair in a towel she exited the bathroom and walked into her room to get dressed. She put on a pair of plaid comfy pants and a loose tee shirt. Drying her hair with the towel enough so it didn't drip, she left it loose and hanging down her back. Hanging the robe back up and draping the hair towel over the towel bar next to the tub she walked out into the kitchen.

The smell of cooking filled her nose and she hummed softly. "That smells amazing, Tarek." She complimented, leaning on the island situated on the "barrier" between rooms. "I'm not much of a cook believe it or not. I mostly order takeaway but a home cooked meal... mm, mm, mmm~" Millie couldn't help the little wiggle she did, quite looking forward to dinner.

Tarek smiled when Millie emerged from the bathroom, some of the moisture following her into the main room. It was nice to see her smile. "Your posture looks more relaxed now, and your blood pressure is lower. I'm glad your shower helped. Please, sit. I will clean up." After insuring that she had what she needed, at least for a moment, Tarek went back to the kitchen to search for some containers in which to dispense the leftovers. He paused for a moment, keeping absolutely still for several seconds before returning to his duties.

Once the kitchen was cleaned up, Tarek went back to sit with his owner, though he left plenty of space between them. This was standard programming for an IBIS, since many people were not comfortable sitting next to their unit on their first day. There were notable exceptions, of course, but this was known in the business as a Soft Introduction.

"Millie, please do not be alarmed, but the police will be arriving at this building within the new few minutes. There was a disturbance downstairs, and authorities were notified."

The meal had been amazing, leaving Millie feeling quite satisfied. All in all it had been a productive day: she had gotten her IBIS unit, she finished a painting, got her studio set up, and showered. Plus she got a homemade meal. It turned out to be a good day. She was settled into the couch, content, completely relaxed.

The news, however, about the disturbance on one of the floors below, made her feel a bit unsettled. "A disturbance? What kind of disturbance?" Thoughts of Thomas trying to break into the building swirled around her head, and she stiffened.

"Don't worry, Millie. It's not him." She didn't need to vocalize her worries for him to understand where they came from. "There is a domestic dispute on the first floor. Violence is likely." On the bottom floor directly underneath Millie's apartment an argument had turned violent. The reason didn't matter, of course, but the violence could not be allowed to continue. It was likely that the upstairs neighbor called in the complaint. "The authorities will be arriving any moment, but I can listen and give you the details if you'd like. Would you like another glass of wine?"

One could only imagine the luxury it was to own an IBIS. Having someone to wait on your every want an need would be a wonderful way to live. At least, that is how those over the lower economic classes saw it. To own an IBIS was like having a legal slave. So many people took advantage of their units to their fullest capabilities. Millie, on the other hand, did not seem to mind one way or the other.

On the news were a third group, people who felt that the IBIS units were not welcome, either for religious or existential reasons. This group of self-proclaimed humanists made it its mission to destroy them wherever they were. Often times they were put on display after being torn apart, their metal components exposed to show the world that the human appearance was just a lie, a facade pasted over a robotic frame.

If Tarek could feel gladness, he certainly would feel it. That, and gratitude, that Millie was who she was.

At the news that it was not Thomas trying to push further into her life, she visibly relaxed and closed her eyes. "No need to listen in if it's not him.. thank you." Millie appreciated Tareks honesty, he didn't have to tell her or reassure her, but he did, and she was grateful. "Another glass would be wonderful," Normally she wouldn't really finish off more than one glass, but it was a celebratory day, not one to stress over. An extra glass couldn't hurt.

"What do you think about shopping tomorrow?" She asked. "I imagine you need clothes and I have to pick up some art supplies and, for most things, I prefer going out and getting it. Ordering online is nice but I don't really get out much an its nice to find inspiration on a walk." Millie was aware that she didn't have to ask, or include him in her decision making, she could just order him, but she considered Tarek as a companion and not just a humanoid slave. If he didn't think it was safe, for whatever reason, she would consider changing her plans.

"Understood," he said, heading over to grab the bottle of wine. He refilled Millile's glass then corked the bottle and set it in the fridge. No sense in wasting a perfectly good bottle of white wine. He paused for a moment when the police arrived, though no sirens heralded their coming. His primary function, as was given by Millie herself, was to protect her, so any violence in the area would need to be dealt with in order to keep her safe. "The police have arrived. I will let you know if something goes wrong." She said not to listen, but Tarek simply couldn't NOT listen.

When the subject changed, Tarek smiled a little. Not the usual blank, emotionless smile, but a sincere grin as a sign of gratitude. It only lasted for a moment, unfortunately, but it was certainly there. "That is a very good idea, Millie. I am in need of new clothes, and finding your art supplies will give me an opportunity to understand your neighborhood better."

The young woman glanced towards the balcony at the mention of the police, but knew from her position on the couch that she would not be able to see anything. Still, she looked only for a moment before sipping on her wine. "Oh good, I think tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day, too."

Being able to go outside again after several months cooped up too afraid to leave cheered Millie up quite a bit. It would be nice to stretch her legs and go out walking, andnwith Tarek with her she didn't have to worry about looking shadows or lurking stalkers.

"Tomorrow's forecast looks promising. The high should be near 82 degrees with mostly sunny skies. The warmth looks like it should continue through the evening. Sunset is at 8:02pm." A walking version of the internet was an easy way to sum up an IBIS. The first models were just that: the internet in a box that could go from one place to another. As future generations were invented, they became more human-looking in appearance. If the IBIS V was the top-of-the-line model, one could only imagine what the future would hold.

A few minutes ticked by without conversation before Tarek spoke up again. "The police have departed. No arrests were made." Judging by the sounds and the word choice, Tarek guessed there to be a high chance that the woman, out of fear for her own life, lied to the police about the incident and downplayed the entire event. This perplexed the IBIS. It wasn't a logical decision, but then again fear was a powerful thing.

Millie wondered why the police would have been dispatched if no resolution would have come from it? Then again, she didn't know the extent of the problem like Tarek would have, so she just shrugged it off as a neighbors overreaction. Finishing her wine, she stood and took her glass to the sink. "I'm going to head to bed, we can leave early so we don't run into too many people, okay?" She gave her companion a small appreciative smile before retiring to her room. She laid awake for a little while wondering if her life with Tarek would always be so easy, so safe. She fell asleep with those thoughts in mind.

When she woke up she felt kind of excited for the day, she'd get to buy some new art supplies, get Tarek some more clothes, and hopefully start on a new project, getting back into her normal routine, instead of the darker path she had been on. Getting dressed she headed into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. Then she wandered into the kitchen, yawning, preparing a cup of coffee.

Tarek smiled at his owner and nodded. "Good night, ma'am," he said softly. "Sleep well." He sincerely believed that she would rest better knowing that some creep was not going to break in and disrupt her life. He would not need long to recharge so he stayed up for a few more hours and quietly finished tidying up the common areas. Working for Millie had not required much effort on his part thus far, though it was only the first day. She could certainly prove to be a more active owner as time went on and she became more accustomed to his help. Regardless, she was his owner, and he was content with that arrangement. Once the tidying was complete, Tarek went to his dock to 'rest' and recharge.

The next morning, he was up before Millie, preparing a breakfast of eggs-in-a-basket, coffee, and sausage. "Good morning, ma'am. I hope you slept well. Please sit and enjoy your breakfast." He pulled out a chair, offering to push it in a little once she sat. "I took the liberty of reviewing a map of the area for our shopping trip today. Most of the shops should be open by the time we arrive."

Millie sat down a bit shocked that Tarek was already up and had gotten breakfast completely made before she had even fully woken up. She looked at the food before her, then to her IBIS, and back again. "Thank you," She found herself thinking that she could get used to treatment like that, but shouldn't. She couldn't allow herself to become complacent. Although... it certainly was nice, and her coffee had been made exactly how she liked it. "Mmm.."

Enjoying breakfast, and a quiet start to the morning was putting the young woman in a great mood. Maybe she'd end up painting something so marvelous she'd be recognized and featured. She had a nice little laugh to herself at that knowing that it was highly improbably. She kept to herself and didn't really advertise her works. After she finished breakfast, she put her dishes in the sink and faced Tarek. "Don't worry about the clean up for now, I just want to get going. We can worry about that later." She then grabbed her messenger bag and headed for the door, making sure she had her wallet. Not like she needed it, she had her account info memorized and could charge it that way.

"Very well. We can leave immediately if you'd like." Tarek went to the door and slipped his shoes on, balancing perfectly on each foot as if he were completely stable. He then looked at his owner and smiled, something he seemed to do quite often. "You look very nice today, by the way. That is a very good color on you." That was not just an opinion. Her colors complimented her hair and eye color very well. "Your outfit highlights and enhances your natural beauty. You've put together quite the outfit today, ma'am." Was he flirting with her, or was he simply programmed to make comments such as those to boost her confidence?

Once they were out and on the street, Tarek kept next to his owner without falling behind, automatically adjusting his pace to hers. It was, indeed, shaping up to be a nice day outside. Birds flew about, hunting for scraps of human food. The streets were not terribly crowded just yet. Tarek, despite his duty as her protector, kept his mood just as light as always, making small comments here and there about things they saw. It was easy to forget that everything he knew was just data; it was different to experience something for oneself.

At Tareks compliments, Millie felt her cheeks grow quite warm. She knew that he probably genuinely felt that she looked nice, and perhaps it was his programming that made him speak to her that way but it still made her feel quite flustered. Absently she played with some of her hair to allow it to hide the growing redness on her cheeks, trying not to seem too obvious about it. Especially outside the apartment. Who knew what could be assumed by that?

"Millie!"

Hearing her name made her pause, her heart beginning to pound. It couldn't be...

"Millie! I know you heard me! What the hell is with that order of protection?" Thomas trotted from across the street his eyes narrowed in annoyance, focused on her. She felt her body stiffen and she instinctively reached out to Tarek, her body shaking.

"T-Tommy..." She stammered.

"Wha... who the fuck is this?" He snapped, finally reaching the pair. "New boyfriend? What the fuck, Mil."

Tarek started to speak but was interrupted by the sound of Millie's name being called out from beside them. He stopped and turned, his eyes following on none other than Thomas himself. Immediately he took a single step toward the man to put himself between Millie and Thomas. What was supposed to be a happy day for Millie had just warped into a twisted nightmare. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, though they were still fixated on Tommy. A set of possible outcomes ran through his brain, many of which involved violence. Doing so, however, would be a breach of protocol without special permission. For the moment, he decided to use words to try to diffuse the situation before it reached critical mass.

"Thomas Vargas, you are currently in violation of protection order 88294, requiring you to keep a distance of no fewer than 500 yards away from Millie. Retreat to the minimum distance immediately or the authorities will be notified." Tarek's voice was forceful and strong, hardly the soft one Millie had been hearing since his arrival. Like a guard dog his posture was aggressively defensive, with a look in his eyes that almost seemed to dare the man to take another step closer to his owner, begging for a reason to snap him like candy cane on Christmas day.

"You will comply," he said with finality.

Nova Verita <sinistersparrow@yahoo.com>
To:
Machine Man


Tue, Oct 1, 2019 at 3:33 PM


Thomas glared defiantly at the IBIS who dared speak to him, interrupting his conversation with Millie. "So not a boyfriend but a sex bot? And flaunting it in public? How low have you sank.." He spat at Millie, his lip curling in disgust.

"I-it's not.. H-he's not..." Millie could hardly form a full thought, taking a small step back away from him, looking down at her hands as she wrung them tightly together.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you." He snapped, moving around Tarek to get closer to Millie. He didn't care what that bot said, she was his and he could do whatever he wanted. She jerked back away from him, her eyes wide and terrified.

That was all the provocation Tarek needed. Tarek had had enough and was going to protect Millie, as he had been programmed to do. His arm shot to the side, grabbing Thomas by the front of his collar and lifted him off the ground easily with one arm. "Thomas Vargas. You have engaged in the crime of assault are in violation of the restraining order against you, as well as your parole. The authorities have been notified." He then turned his head toward Millie. Seeing her in such a near-catatonic state engaged a response he had not anticipated and was finding difficult to override.

"Millie, I can remove this threat for you once and for all. He would never bother you again. However, doing so will result of bodily injury and is highly likely to kill this man. In order to proceed I require your authorization. Shall I proceed?" His voice was dark, almost sinister sounding, as if he hoped she would give him the authority to end Tommy's life. He looked up at the man, locking eyes with him as a twisted grin formed on his lips. "If he is no longer alive, he cannot hurt you again."

Millie looked from Tarek to Tommy her eyes wide. Thomas struggled to get away from Tarek but it was useless as the IBIS was much stronger than him. He seemed to look at Millie, no longer angry, but scared. It would be so much easier for her to allow Tarek to get rid of Thomas once and for all, but that might result in legal action taken, because murder was murder whether it seemed justified or not. While she appreciated what Tarek was willing to do for her, whether by programming or otherwise, she didn't think he should die.

"N..no." Millie managed to squeak, shaking her head. "No, let... let the police take him into custody.. I.. I just want to go home..." She held her bag close to her chest, and her back was firmly pressed against the building behind her. Feeling tears building she bowed her head, tightening her grip on the strap, nausea rolling over her. "Please take me home..." she whispered. How was it that the first time she went outside in months it was ruined by what she had grown to fear?

Tarek hesitated for a moment, his eyes still locked upon the man. The order to stay his hand had been given, but new programming had been introduced. Just pieces, nothing more than a whisper of code, but it was enough to cause a brief delay in following the orders of his owner. With his free hand he tore his right sleeve off his shirt. He then put Thomas on the sidewalk and quickly tied off his ankles in a knot so tight it would have to be cut off him. As he leaned forward to tie him off, Tarek whispered menacingly into the culprit's ear.

"If you come near her or try to contact her or do anything whatsoever that affects her life again, I will be the last thing you see, but only after a few agonizing weeks for you." He then straightened out, looking him in the eyes one more time to drive his point home. The IBIS turned to Millie, his face having returned to normal. "Of course ma'am. Let's get you home immediately. I will send the police report and take care of everything for you. You needn't worry." Carefully he placed his hand on her opposite shoulder and lead her away from the scene, secretly hoping that he would see Thomas just one more time.

Millie allowed herself to be led away from the scene, and Tommy, unable to stop herself from shaking. Getting to the building, she entered her code and the door buzzed open allowing them entrance. She moved quickly to the elevator that would take her to her apartment, and only after the elevator doors shut did she feel remotely calm again.

"I'm sorry..." She murmured softly. "We... we were supposed to go shopping..." Her voice cracked as she tried to remain calm, but her voice gave her away. "It was supposed to be a good day..." Millie felt so small, having allowed Thomas to affect her in that way, scaring her so badly she could hardly breathe. "I'm sorry..."

Comfort programming came by default in his data pack, as many clients experience loss and heartache after taking ownership of an IBIS. Those protocols initiated immediately, lowering his volume and warming not only his voice, but his body as well. Just a little bit, but enough to make him feel physically warm. He stood in front of her and wrapped both arms gently around her. "I cannot imagine how frightening it must be to have him insert himself in your life like that. I'm very sorry that you had to go through that today. But I am glad that, if it had to happen today, I was with you to help."

The elevator reached the top floor. He released her then but lead her to the couch. "If you'd like to sit down, I would be happy to make you some tea. Perhaps you'd like to sit and watch movies to put your mind elsewhere. I could also draw you a bath if you'd like. If I am being overbearing and you'd rather be alone, I can wait at my dock for you to call. Whatever would make you feel better, I will happily do."

"Tea would be lovely... thank you." Millie sat on the couch, pulling her legs to her chest, her gaze faraway. The Tommy she saw that day was a stranger to her, her had never been so callous or cruel, never so demanding and controlling. She didn't recognize him.

Flicking the television on, she stared at a blank screen for a long moment before pulling up a list of movies. Glancing towards the kitchen she watched Tarek, wondering if he was being overbearing. She didn't think so. Though she couldn't help recalling how his voice and posture changed when confronting Thomas, even going so far as to offer to hurt him to keep him away from her. Absently she wondered, as she watched him, if it was part of his programming to go so far or if it was... something different.

Turning back to the TV she found a movie she wanted to watched and clicked it on. "I want you to stay with me.. I don't want to be alone.."

Tarek did his best to move slowly, but not stealthily. The goal was to avoid making any loud noises that might startle the rattled woman. Idly he began to hum. There was no set melody, just a series of notes that were found to be calming to the human psyche. Once the tea had been properly steeped, he placed it on a plate, the closest thing he could find to a tray, with a cup of milk, some sugar, and a honey bear. Her coffee preferences had been pre-loaded, but not tea. He moved slowly back to her, not spilling a single drop. "I wasn't sure how you liked your tea, so I brought options."

He set the plate down in front of her and served her tea as requested, then sat down next to her, leaving a gap between them so as not to smother her. "The police will sort Thomas out, Millie. I am sorry for the way I behaved. My defensive protocols are highly tuned and, as you might say, tightly wound. I do hope that you know that I would never hurt you." There was concern in his voice, and that was genuine. It could have been coding created to prevent lawsuits, should an IBIS injure its owner. But Tarek sincerely did not want to cause her any harm.

Millie usually took her tea with just honey but she appreciated the thought and care he put into gathering options just because he didn't know.Actually he put that same thought and care into everything he did, making sure that everything was to her liking, her preference, made sure that she was comfortable. Even sitting next to her, not too close but not too far, and the way he moved so it didn't scare or startle her. It had only been a day, and despite the earlier confrontation, Tarek was making her life remarkably easier.

"I know," Millie responded softly. "You don't have to apologize for the way you acted, honestly Tommy probably deserved it... and worse. I just don't want you to jeopardize yourself over him. Hes not worth enough to lose you over." Millie feared if she had let him take care of Tommy like he wanted that she would lose him. She may not face jail time, being from a prominent family and all, but what would become of Tarek if she had allowed him to kill Tommy? Would he be decommissioned? Scrapped? No, Millie wouldn't allow it. Sure, she could order another, but her Tarek was unique and wonderful. She wasn't going to risk it.